Dec 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Dan Campbell Reveals Why Lions’ Decision to Skip Joint Practices Paid Off 1
August 27, 2026 Featured, NFL
The Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is walking away from training camp with no regrets about one notable change. The Lions skipped joint practices entirely this summer, choosing instead to keep their work in-house and let their own roster create the competition.
That approach may have looked conservative from the outside, especially with joint practices becoming a staple around the NFL. However, Campbell believes that the Lions got exactly what it needed: more time to sharpen its own schemes, more reps against familiar teammates and a competitive environment that never needed another team to manufacture intensity.
Dan Campbell Says Detroit Lions’ In-House Competition Delivered
Aug 2, 2026; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell walks onto the practice field at Meijer Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Paul Barnick-Imagn ImagesAug 2, 2026; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell walks onto the practice field at Meijer Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Paul Barnick-Imagn Images
Aug 2, 2026; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell walks onto the practice field at Meijer Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Paul Barnick-Imagn Images
Campbell’s biggest takeaway from camp was getting back to what he called “Detroit vs. Detroit.” Without another opponent coming to town, the Lions were able to spend more time building within their own system and pushing their players against a roster loaded with high-end talent.
“Getting back to Detroit vs. Detroit, no joint practices, we got a lot done,” he said.
When you’re able to do that, you can get pretty advanced with each other… the competitiveness has been really good, man. And I like the talent.”
What is Dan Campbell's lasting memory/takeaway of this year's Lions training camp?
"Getting back to Detroit vs. Detroit, no joint practices, we got a lot done," he said.
"When you're able to do that, you can get pretty advanced with each other… the competitiveness has been… pic.twitter.com/imFZEOpYNY
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) August 27, 2026
That last part is important. Campbell believes the Lions already have enough quality players to create difficult looks every day. Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson going against each other gives Detroit an elite matchup without needing to bring in another team. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Alim McNeill, and Jack Campbell provide plenty of firepower on the other side.
Campbell also pointed to the benefit of facing different skill sets when the Lions do get outside competition. The Texans, for example, brought Will Anderson Jr. into the equation during their preseason matchup, giving the Lions a chance to see something different without building the entire summer around joint practices.
There was still a risk to the decision. Joint practices can expose starters to unfamiliar opponents and provide valuable game-like reps before the regular season. The Lions also could have used them to test a secondary dealing with injuries to Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.
Instead, the Lions leaned into versatility within their own room. Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark have earned opportunities at safety, while D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin have emerged as the most consistent outside corners. Campbell has even left the door open for a rotation at Nickel depending on the situation.
The plan was never about avoiding competition but about creating enough of it at home, and while the Lions still dealt with injuries, including Cade Mays’ wrist fracture, Campbell believes the decision allowed the Lions to spend the summer getting deeper into their own identity rather than splitting their attention.
For a team facing major expectations in 2026, that internal work could matter just as much as any joint-practice victory.