On Monday, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the recent controversy surrounding a photo leak by running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The image, which showed a whiteboard containing offensive play calls and dropback protection information, made its way onto social media following the Lions' Thanksgiving Day victory over the Chicago Bears.
While the leak raised concerns among fans and analysts about the potential for other teams to gain a competitive advantage, Campbell took a more relaxed stance when discussing the situation. Speaking on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell responded to the incident with his usual no-nonsense approach, saying, “I don’t really give a crap. If we’re gonna lose because of code words, then we’re not good enough anyway.”
Campbell’s comments emphasize his belief that the Lions’ success isn’t reliant on keeping every detail of their playbook under wraps. “I think we’ll just post the whole freaking playbook and every code word we’ve got. It doesn’t matter. It’s not gonna hurt us,” he continued, dismissing the idea that the photo leak would significantly impact the team’s performance.
While Campbell’s relaxed attitude may surprise some, it reflects his confidence in his team’s ability to execute regardless of outside distractions. He is known for his focus on building a resilient, mentally tough team, and this response aligns with that philosophy. The Lions are 11-1 on the season and have been a formidable force on both sides of the ball, thanks in large part to Campbell’s leadership.
Despite the lighthearted tone of Campbell’s response, the incident has led the Lions to review how sensitive information is shared within the team. Although Gibbs’ mistake may not have hurt the Lions in the long run, the team is expected to reinforce protocols moving forward to ensure that nothing like this happens again.
For now, the focus remains on the future, with Campbell confident in his team’s ability to keep their momentum going as they push toward the playoffs. And while the incident may have sparked a few laughs within the organization, Campbell’s approach is clear: they’re not sweating the small stuff when it comes to playbook leaks.
