DETROIT – Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that it’s hard to believe he is in year six leading this team as they begin training camp in Allen Park.
Time flies, but the Lions are ready to soar in 2026 after missing out on the playoffs last year.
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Campbell met with the media ahead of day one of training camp on Wednesday morning.
Here are four topics that stood out during his first podium session this season.
A “renewed” sense of urgency
The Lions have built up their profile since Campbell arrived in Detroit.
It’s no question that last year was a setback, missing out on the playoffs after making it there in the previous two seasons.
Campbell noted that they have plenty of veterans back, but is pleased with the pieces they’ve added to round out the team in 2026.
“This feels like there’s a little bit of a transition like there is a newness to it,” Campbell said.
“There’s a little bit of a youth movement that’s up to us to get these guys developed and that’s pretty exciting, but also knowing, man, I want to get back to what we did in ’22 a little bit. And some of ’21, probably more ’22, but just get back to the basics of what we are. And so that’s exciting. That’s exciting.”
No Jahmyr to start training camp
The Lions are missing some players to injury, but the most notable absence on day one was Jahmyr Gibbs.
The running back was not on the field for the first day of practice, apparently waiting for a new deal ahead of a season that could see his role expand even more in the offense.
Campbell was asked about a potential new deal for Gibbs ahead of the first practice in Allen Park.
“You guys know how we feel about Gibbs and all of our guys,” Campbell said. “This will kind of continue. It’ll come as it comes. I think that’s the best way to say it. This is both sides working through something and we’ll take it as it comes, but that’s where it is.”
The status of the starting safeties
The Lions begin camp with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on the PUP list. Both suffered season ending injuries in 2025.
Joseph’s status is TBD heading into the 2026 season. Campbell said that the starting safety is putting in the work, but added that there is still an “unknown” with his knee injury. The Lions head coach said he would consider it a “bonus” to get Joseph back for the first game.
As for Branch, Campbell said that he could return to practice at the end of training camp or in early September.
The Lions are down Joseph and Branch in the secondary, but they are also looking for a new starting cornerback after cutting Terrion Arnold.
Campbell said that it was “unfortunate” that they had to move on from Arnold, but said that he is “fired up” for the competition in the secondary.
More new pieces on the offensive line
Changes on the offensive line played a role in the Lions’ slow start to the season in 2025.
Jared Goff was sacked a career-high 38 times last year, but the front five is a work-in-progress again this year.
The Lions have a new starting center in Cade Mays, moved Penei Sewell to left tackle and start training camp with rookie Blake Miller at right tackle.
That group will look different once again in 2026, but Campbell is confident the o-line will be much improved this season.
“I feel like what comes out of that room, those five, is going to be better than what we had last year,” Campbell said. “It is going to be an upgrade and not just a little. I believe that.”