Detroit Lions Mailbag: What it would take for Dan Campbell to be fired
It would take an awful lot for the Lions to give up on Campbell
The Detroit Lions are out of the playoffs, and now Lions fans are feeling some of their old emotions. With old emotions come old-style questions. Let’s answer them.
Is Dan Campbell’s seat hot in 2026?
Is Campbell on the hot seat next season?
— ProudDetroiter (@detroitstrong.bsky.social) December 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
No. Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have a much longer leash than any duo Detroit has ever had, and it’s because they’ve demonstrated what they’re capable of by getting this team farther than anyone. Sheila Ford Hamp won’t forget about that after one bad season, where everyone can understand what happened to this team.
The Lions’ fall wasn’t due to bad coaching; it was a perfect storm of injuries, the loss of two key offensive linemen they couldn’t overcome, and some good old-fashioned bad luck. It’s tough to see the Lions going through this again in 2026 with all the talent they have. If they can stay healthy, and Holmes can have a monster offseason, the Lions are right back on track.
It would take a Hall of Fame-level fall off in 2026 for Campbell to be fired. We’re talking like a two-win season with a fully healthy team, and they lose every game off a bad decision in the closing minutes. Then Campbell starts missing practice because he’s showing more interest in his burgeoning Pokémon career. That’s what it would take.
What free agents do I have my eyes on right now that Brad Holmes would probably dig?
What free agents along the offensive and defensive line do you see Holmes going after? Hard to think he’ll stand pat given the lack of depth due to injuries they saw this year
— Zach Purcilly (@zp1729.bsky.social) December 29, 2025 at 6:21 PM
First and foremost, Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum is at the tippy top of the go-get list for Holmes this offseason. He has to be. Linderbaum coming to Detroit would put the Lions’ offensive line back into the category it’s used to being in. It’s all going to depend on whether the Ravens let him out of their building, though.
On defense, I would keep an eye on guys like Bengals edge Joseph Ossai, or if they want to spend more money, Seahawks edge Boye Mafe, or Colts edge Kwity Paye come to mind. Saints corner Alontae Taylor is one to keep an eye on, too.
What’s going on with the offense in the third quarter?
3rd quarter has been awful the last 3 games. Do you view this as a larger concern with coaching and Campbell’s ability to make adjustments?
— dubceezway.bsky.social (@dubceezway.bsky.social) December 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
It’s the offensive line — point blank, period. The Lions have come out of every half with the desire to run the football, and the offensive line, which has gotten increasingly worse and more injured as the weeks have gone on, has not opened the holes on early downs.
It kills the drive because, of course, they want to pass on third down, and the defense knows that. So their drive ends fast, and then the opposing offense has ideally taken advantage every time. Then, in the fourth, the offense looks better because the run game has been abandoned.
Can the Lions do enough on Sunday to continue the Bears’ streak of never having a 4,000-yard passer?
Now that’s some fun pettiness right there. Right now, Caleb Williams is 270 yards away from 4,000. All the Lions have to do is keep him from throwing that many yards, and they can end the season with a fun little petty win.
Williams has only thrown for that amount or more four times this season. So there’s a chance it happens.
Do I regret my op-ed about not wanting Brad Holmes to be like Eagles GM Howie Roseman?
Hi! Is your worst take you ever had that we should be happy brad Holmes isn't howie roseman?
— whitestripeskorn.bsky.social (@whitestripeskorn.bsky.social) December 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM
No, I don’t. The big thing I kept hearing is that “Roseman does what it takes. Look how he keeps going out and getting these players this season.” Roseman got Za’Darius Smith, who retired a few weeks later, Jaire Alexander, who walked away from football before ever even playing a game for the Eagles, and Jaelan Phillips, who has recorded exactly two sacks since they traded for him. None of that is good.
Do I think Holmes needs to do better and put aside some of his previous ideals? Absolutely. Does he need to do it in the style that Roseman did? Absolutely not. I stand by that take.
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