Detroit Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold has faced a rollercoaster ride in his first NFL season, but according to head coach Dan Campbell, Arnold has turned a corner.
The Lions’ first-round pick from Alabama has been a starter since day one, and despite some struggles early in the season, he earned praise from Campbell for his standout performance in Thursday’s victory against the Green Bay Packers.
“I thought that was Arnold’s best game of the season,” Campbell said, adding that it was the kind of improvement the team was hoping to see from the rookie.
Campbell drew comparisons between Arnold’s growth and that of previous Lions rookies. He noted that, for many first-year players, the grind of the season often takes a toll, leading to a drop in performance. However, Arnold has proven resilient.
“What happens with a lot of rookies, especially guys you’re counting on, unfortunately some of them start to take a nose dive… but then the other ones who hang in there, they really start taking flight,” Campbell explained. “That’s what St. Brown did his rookie year, he started to take off. Once we hit November, December, he started to gain strength. Sewell did the same thing, Mac did the same thing. I feel like that’s where Arnold’s at. He’s starting to push through this and he’s gaining enough valuable reps, experience.”
Arnold’s performance on Thursday night was a strong indication that he’s starting to gain confidence, with Campbell noting that he’s not letting the grind of the season wear him down. As the Lions look to continue their playoff push, Arnold’s development could be a key factor in the team’s success down the stretch.
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