Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared his thoughts with reporters on Monday following his team’s tough loss to the Buffalo Bills and the unfortunate news of losing four more players to injury. With just three games remaining in the regular season and Detroit fighting for a playoff spot, Campbell’s focus remained clear: the team must move forward and stick to their “next man up” mentality.
Acknowledging the Loss of Key Players
When asked about the impact of these injuries, Campbell was steadfast in his belief that while the team has lost key players, they cannot afford to get bogged down by adversity. “I don’t think you get caught up in it,” Campbell said. “Most of the time, you’re so focused on getting yourself prepared for the game and your unit prepared for the game that that’s where your focus has got to be. We acknowledge the fact that we’ve lost players, we’ve lost really good players, but nobody cares. Nobody cares, and nobody is gonna give us a pass or put an asterisk next to your record.”
Campbell’s words reflect the hard-nosed approach that has been a hallmark of his coaching style. Despite a significant number of injuries this season—over 20 players placed on injured reserve—Campbell believes there’s no room for excuses. The focus must remain on winning, regardless of the obstacles the team faces.
The Opportunity for “Next Man Up”
Campbell continued, emphasizing that injuries create opportunities for other players to step up. “What that means is some guys are gonna have an unbelievable opportunity,” he said. “Because of what has happened, that means now, you’re a guy that’s on the vet squad or you’re a young player or someone that’s been dying for an opportunity, you’re about to get it. That’s a pretty cool thing, that’s a pretty inspiring thing.”
The “next man up” mentality is something the Lions have relied on all season, and Campbell is adamant that it’s time for those waiting in the wings to seize their chance. “What are you gonna do with it? It’s up to us to give them a plan to where they can succeed,” Campbell explained. “And I’ve said it before, we play with three units here. We’ll do what we have to do to win a game and that’s all that matters. That’s all that matters. That’s all that matters from here on out, you’ve just got to have one more point than the opponent, period.”
Staying Focused and Not Panicking
Despite the setbacks, Campbell made it clear that this is not the time for panic. “I think for us, man, what do you want to do about it? That’s how I view it,” Campbell said. “This is not the time to freak out and panic and start acting like things are worse than they are. We lost a game, we didn’t play well. And you know what, why don’t we go back to work and clean up those things that we talked about that hurt us yesterday in that game? You know what? We do that, then we’re gonna have a chance to win the next one.”
Campbell’s message was one of calm resilience, reminding the team that they have control over how they respond. The Lions’ focus now turns to improving from their mistakes and getting ready for the next challenge.
Looking Ahead
As the Lions prepare for their upcoming game against the Chicago Bears, Campbell’s approach will be crucial in keeping the team on track. With injuries piling up and the playoffs on the line, Campbell’s leadership and “next man up” mentality will guide Detroit as they aim to finish the season strong.
For the Lions, the ultimate goal remains the same: winning. Regardless of the injuries or obstacles, Campbell’s message is clear—do what it takes to get the job done, one game at a time.
