Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell gave a clear-minded assessment of his performance in 2025.
"Not good enough. We didn't get in. We underachieved," Campbell said Monday, via ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "So, not good. I'd give myself a freaking F."
Expected to compete for a Super Bowl, the Lions missed the playoffs completely, finishing the season 9-8 but in the cellar of the NFC North for the first time since Campbell's first season with the club. After back-to-back division titles, Detroit is watching the tournament on the sideline.
"It's hard to believe that this is it," Campbell said. "It's going to be a hard pill to swallow watching these teams in the playoffs. But I think you've got to watch them. You've got to force yourself to do it because that's a drive to want to be there, be a part of it."
The Lions' season got off to a wobbly start with a double-digit loss in Green Bay, but Campbell's club turned things around, going 5-2 before a Week 8 bye. However, inconsistencies along the offensive line and defensive injuries led to a dismal stretch run, including three straight December losses that eliminated the Lions from the playoffs.
Campbell took over play-calling midway through the season from offensive coordinator John Morton, who replaced Ben Johnson. The Lions coach is considering staff changes, including a full-time play-caller in 2026. Detroit could be looking at more offensive line changes, with left tackle Taylor Decker contemplating retirement. The Lions also have free-agent questions, with the likes of linebacker Alex Anzalone, cornerback Amik Robertson and defensive linemen D.J. Reader and Marcus Davenport headed to the open market.
Campbell has spearheaded a complete turnaround of a once-moribund franchise to the point where a 9-8 season is considered a disappointing campaign. Detroit's failure to take a step forward a year after winning the No. 1 seed highlights that progress isn't linear and, in the NFL, there is zero guarantee of success from one year to the next.
"Now, we fell short this year and look, we all acknowledge that. I know I acknowledge that. It's bitter. It's a bitter taste," Campbell said. "I mean it feels good to win yesterday, but ultimately, it's frustrating.
"But we've got nobody to blame but ourselves. But I really don't believe we're that far off," he said. "There's a couple of things we can do, and I just want to make sure we go after it. I'm not saying we weren't hungry, but let's get that hunger back and we're going to bring in some guys to compete."
