Detroit Lions Dan Campbell Hints At Major Offseason Changes

As the Detroit Lions wrap up a difficult 2025 season, head coach Dan Campbell is signaling that the status quo will not be an option moving forward. In his final press conference of the season, Campbell made it clear that a thorough evaluation is coming, and with it, some necessary adjustments to get the team back on track for 2026. While he remained vague on specifics, his message was unambiguous: change is on the horizon.

The Detroit Lions Fail To Live Up To Expectations

Following a season that failed to meet the high expectations set in previous years, Campbell acknowledged that the organization cannot afford to stand pat. His comments suggest a departure from the perceived complacency of the last offseason, where the team largely returned its core and opted for internal promotions to fill coordinator vacancies. After seeing regression on both sides of the ball, the head coach is promising a more critical look at the team’s composition.

“When it doesn’t work the way we want it to work, it’s a number of things,” Campbell stated. “Do I have a couple of ideas? Maybe right now, but I need some time here. I need time to really sit down and think about all this.”

He then delivered the key takeaway for the upcoming offseason: “But what we do know is—one way or another—probably that is change is inevitable. Now, it may not be much, but there will be something that will change.”

The Running Game: A Top Priority

While Campbell did not point fingers or name specific areas for personnel or coaching changes, he left no doubt about his top priority: reinvigorating the team’s once-dominant rushing attack. The decline of the ground game in 2025 was a stark and defining feature of the team’s struggles.

In 2024, the Lions’ offense was a powerhouse, failing to reach 100 rushing yards in only a single game. In 2025, that number ballooned to seven games. The team’s record in those seven contests was a telling 0-7, perfectly illustrating how critical a successful run game is to their identity and overall success. When asked how important it was to fix the ground game, Campbell’s response was emphatic and direct: “It’s everything.”

This sharp focus naturally turns the spotlight toward the offensive line. The unit, which was a celebrated strength in previous seasons, saw a significant drop-off in performance. The upcoming offseason presents a major crossroads for the group, with potential retirements looming for veterans like left tackle Taylor Decker and guard Graham Glasgow. The Lions will need to find a long-term solution at center and potentially fill multiple starting roles.

Campbell hinted as much when he identified the offensive line as the group he most wants to see improvement from in the season finale against the Chicago Bears. “I’d probably start with the O-line,” he said. “Just want to see—and just a tick more, just a little bit better. See if we can polish some things up, work together, work our combinations just a little bit.”

Uncertainty Looms Over Specifics

Despite the clear mandate for change, fans and analysts are left to speculate where exactly those changes will occur. Will it be a significant roster overhaul through free agency and the draft? Will the coaching staff, particularly on the offensive side, see external hires brought in to introduce new schemes and ideas? Or will the changes be more subtle, focusing on minor personnel tweaks and philosophical adjustments?

Campbell is purposefully keeping his cards close to his chest, noting that he needs time to step back and assess the entire operation before making any definitive decisions. His immediate focus remains on finishing the season, but his comments have set a clear tone for the months ahead.

The Lions’ leadership understands that simply running it back will not be enough. After a season of regression, the pressure is on to make the right moves to ensure that 2025 was a temporary setback and not the beginning of a downward trend. For the Detroit Lions, the offseason officially starts now, and it promises to be one of consequence.