ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell believes his team has spent the offseason addressing the areas that needed the most attention.
Now comes the part that matters.
The Lions open the season Sunday (Sept. 13) against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field, giving Campbell and his team their first chance to see whether the offseason changes translate into on-field results.
“I thought we had a really good offseason,” Campbell said Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. “We identified things that we felt like we needed to upgrade. I thought we did that.”
Detroit missed the playoffs last season after entering the year with Super Bowl aspirations.
Campbell said the Lions have worked to move forward while returning to the physical, competitive identity that has defined much of his tenure.
The Lions also have a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing and made changes to their defensive front, while several younger players are taking on larger roles.
Campbell said the team focused not only on personnel but also on scheme, competition and special teams.
“We got back to some of those things that we were about,” Campbell said. “I think we had an outstanding training camp.”
Hutchinson enters fifth season with confidence
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who Campbell believes is positioned for another strong season.
Hutchinson missed most of the 2024 season with a broken leg but returned late last season and made an immediate impact.
Campbell said an extra offseason of training should help the former No. 2 overall pick from the University of Michigan take another step.
“He’s always been, in my opinion, a complete defensive end and he’s elevated that once again,” Campbell said.
Campbell pointed to Hutchinson’s quickness, weight, explosion and continued development as reasons the former Michigan Wolverines standout expects the defensive standout to make an impact.
“He’s always continued to grow his craft,” Campbell said. “So I think he’s prepped to have another big year.”
Campbell praises Lions’ role players
Campbell also emphasized that Detroit’s success will not depend solely on its biggest stars.
He pointed to players such as tight end Brock Wright, long snapper Hogan Hatten, linebacker Khalil Dorsey, receiver Tom Kennedy and others who could play important roles.
Those players, Campbell said, provide the glue that connects the Lions’ top talent.
“Those role players are big,” Campbell said. “They’re the ones that kind of, they’re a little bit of that glue that binds those premier players together.”
Campbell said Detroit has plenty of high-end talent but believes building the right overall team is more important than simply collecting star players.
“Now it’s about having the best team,” Campbell said.
Jack Campbell earns first captaincy
Linebacker Jack Campbell will enter the season as a team captain for the first time after being voted into the role by his teammates.
Dan said the honor is well deserved.
“Everybody to a man respects what Jack Campbell is about,” Dan said.
The third-year linebacker has taken on an increasingly important role in Detroit’s defense, including serving as the communicator wearing the green-dot helmet.
Campbell praised his preparation, understanding of opposing offenses and consistency.
“He is snap to whistle all the time,” Campbell said. “So anything that Jack says, people listen to because he’s earned that.”
Hutchinson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill were also voted captains, along with Jared Goff, Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown and punter Jack Fox.
Lions preparing for Saints’ late-season momentum
Dan said Detroit cannot overlook New Orleans, which finished strong last season and enters the matchup with optimism about its second year under coach Kellen Moore.
The Saints won four of their final five games last season, according to Campbell, and have added offensive talent to a defense that has been a strength.
Campbell also has personal ties to New Orleans, where he spent several seasons as an assistant under Sean Payton.
“That was a class act, man. Class organization,” Dan said.
Dan said his time with the Saints helped prepare him for his opportunity in Detroit and that he has carried lessons from New Orleans with him.
“You don’t forget those,” Dan said. “And you try to carry over the things that you feel like are done right that you do right and take them to where you go.”
Rookie Blake Miller faces early test
Rookie offensive tackle Blake Miller could face a significant challenge in his first NFL game, with the Saints bringing pass rusher Chase Young off the edge.
Dan believes Miller’s work against Hutchinson during training camp has prepared him for the test.
“He will continue to grow as this season goes on,” Dan said.
Dan noted that Miller and Young have similar size and length but different styles as pass rushers.
The coach does not expect perfection from the rookie.
“It doesn’t need to be perfect,” Dan said. “But I know he’s going to grow and get better every week and every rep.”
Campbell’s message: Handle business for 60 minutes
For Detroit, the goal entering Week 1 is not to repeat last season or prove anything about the past.
It is to establish the new team’s identity.
Dan said the Lions must play disciplined football, execute their assignments, and remain focused for the full game.
“You got to always step back and say, man, what is it really about?” Dan said. “It’s about us handling our business and doing things the right way, playing disciplined football and doing it for 60 minutes.”
That test begins Sunday against the Saints, when Detroit finally gets to find out what its offseason work looks like in a game that counts.
Kerby Joseph
Safety Kerby Joseph has returned to the team as he continues working his way back toward full participation, per Dan.
“Yeah, he’s here. Yep. He’s doing good,” Dan said. “He’s ramping up.”
Joseph’s return is a positive development for a Detroit secondary that has dealt with questions about its depth heading into the regular season.
The veteran safety is expected to play an important role in the Lions’ defense under coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, particularly with Detroit looking to create more opportunities for its safeties to make plays.
Dan did not provide a timetable for Joseph’s return to full practice or confirm whether he will be available for the season opener.
For now, the Lions are encouraged that Joseph is back with the team and progressing toward a return.
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