Dan Campbell hasn’t had to worry about his offense for a few years but 2025 is different.The Detroit Lions’ offense has not lived up to expectations this season, and a significant reason has been the inconsistent performance of the offensive line. The unit has struggled to protect quarterback Jared Goff and generate push in the running game. Despite these challenges, head coach Dan Campbell remains steadfast in his belief in the group, expressing confidence that they will find their form as the team pushes for a playoff spot.
Dan Campbell On A Season of Change and Inconsistency
The Lions’ offensive line has been a unit in transition. The offseason saw the retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and the departure of Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency. This overhaul led to significant changes, with veteran Graham Glasgow moving to center, rookie Tate Ratledge starting at right guard, and Christian Mahogany at left guard before an injury forced Kayode Awosika into the lineup.
These changes have resulted in mixed performances. The line has allowed Jared Goff to be on pace for 34 sacks, the most since his first year in Detroit. In their recent loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the offense managed only 3.5 yards per carry, and Goff was under constant pressure. However, there have also been bright spots, including four games where they did not allow a sack and four contests with over 150 rushing yards. It is this potential that Campbell is focused on.
Campbell’s Unwavering Belief
Despite the recent troubles, Campbell is not losing faith in his front five. He believes that chemistry and cohesion are key to unlocking their potential. “I believe in these guys, man. I do,” Campbell stated. “I just think the more they play together and they mesh, and we just do things that we do well.”
The head coach also took responsibility for putting the players in the best position to succeed, suggesting that he could do more from a schematic standpoint. He mentioned reflecting on the loss to the Eagles and identifying different ways he could have approached the game plan to better support the offensive line. “There’s a couple of things I wish yesterday maybe I do differently, and just the way that we go about attacking those guys,” Campbell reflected.
With seven weeks remaining in the season, the Lions are looking to make a playoff push, and the performance of the offensive line will be critical. Campbell’s confidence remains high, and he believes that with more consistency and better play-calling, the unit has what it takes to anchor a successful offense. “I just go back to, man, I just believe in these guys. I think that they’re good enough, they know how to play together, we’ve just got to be a little more consistent in areas.”
