ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell liked what he saw from his team during the second day of mandatory minicamp, praising the effort, competition, and growth throughout the offseason program.
As the Lions wrapped up their final mandatory minicamp practice, Campbell praised the commitment from his veteran players, many of whom were not required to participate after taking part in the team’s spring work.
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“They’re not required to be here,” said Campbell. “They’ve been here all spring, and we’ve got the right guys. We always have. We’re fortunate. It means something to them.”
Campbell said that the level of buy-in is part of what the team is built on heading into the 2026 season.
Cornerback competition, Arnold’s health
One of the biggest storylines this offseason has been competition at several positions, including cornerback.
Campbell said cornerback Terrion Arnold‘s biggest priority remains getting healthy as he works his way back from injury.
“He’s done a good job with (rehab),” Campbell said. “We feel good about where he’s at in that regard, but that’s the most important thing because he’s not full speed right now.”
Campbell added that once Arnold is healthy, the next step is competing for a starting role.
“He’s got to go earn it,” Campbell said.
Kafka makes strong impression
The Lions also added Mike Kafka to their coaching staff this offseason, and Campbell said the passing game coordinator has already made a strong impression.
“He’s been a great addition for us,” Campbell said.
Campbell highlighted Kafka’s ability to think ahead, study opponents, and help the offensive staff find ways to maximize the team’s strengths.
“He’s a thinker. He listens,” Campbell said. “He’s going to do exactly what Drew wants done, what I want done.”
Campbell said Kafka’s experience working with quarterbacks and previous offensive systems has helped the Lions continue developing their passing attack, including the deep ball.
With players like wide receiver Jameson Williams and other explosive targets, Campbell said the team wants to continue building the vertical passing game.
“Everybody would love the deep ball,” Campbell said. “That opens up your offense.”
Young players show growth
Campbell also pointed to growth from younger players throughout OTAs and minicamp, saying several have shown more maturity and urgency.
“I do feel some growth in that regard,” Campbell said. “This time of year, that’s all you can ask for.”
A major focus this spring has been returning to fundamentals, including discipline, effort, and attention to detail.
Campbell said the team emphasized avoiding mistakes such as false starts, offside penalties, and missed assignments from the start of offseason work.
Campbell also praised the defense’s ability to force turnovers during practice, something the team has emphasized heading into the new season.
“We’re getting our hands on some footballs on defense,” Campbell said.
Special teams
Campbell said several players have stood out during the team’s offseason program, highlighting improvement from veterans and young players alike as mandatory minicamp nears its conclusion.
Asked whether any players have exceeded expectations this spring, Campbell pointed to kicker Jake Bates and punter Jack Fox as two veterans who have impressed.
“Bates has done a hell of a job and Fox,” Campbell said. “I like where those guys are at to this point. I feel big improvement.”
While Campbell stopped short of singling out additional players, he said he has been encouraged by the development of several younger members of the roster.
Campbell said one of the biggest things he looks for during organized team activities and minicamp is evidence of growth, maturity, and urgency from players entering their second and third NFL seasons.
“I have felt that from some of our young guys,” Campbell said. “Guys that we’re going to have to count on or we need to count on.”
Campbell noted that roster spots and playing time remain up for grabs despite the positive progress.
“Nothing’s a shoo-in,” Campbell said.
Still, he believes a number of younger players have taken meaningful steps forward heading into training camp, particularly among the team’s recent draft classes.
“I do feel some growth in that regard,” Campbell said. “This time of year, that’s all you can ask for.”
The Lions will continue evaluating those players when training camp begins later this summer, with several position battles expected to remain open.
Training camp approach
After a disappointing end to last season, Campbell said he feels good about the direction of the roster but acknowledged there are still battles to be decided.
The Lions are younger than they were a year ago, and Campbell said development will be critical.
“We’re not going to let anybody hold us hostage,” Campbell said.
Campbell explained that veterans and younger players will have opportunities to compete, but those who consistently perform and show growth will earn roles.
“We need to see growth. We need to see development,” Campbell said.
Looking ahead to training camp, Campbell said the team’s approach will remain aggressive while being smart about player health after injuries impacted the Lions over the past two seasons.
“We’re going to push,” Campbell said. “That’s what we do. But we’ll do it smart.”
Campbell closed the offseason program feeling confident about the team’s foundation.
“I feel really good about where we’re at right now,” Campbell said. “I feel great about the staff, and I feel like we have the right type of players that we’re going to need to rely on.”
The Lions will now turn their attention toward training camp, where position battles and roster decisions will continue to take shape.
Supplemental draft
Campbell said the organization is keeping an open mind regarding the upcoming NFL supplemental draft, though no decisions have been made about whether the team will participate.
Asked Wednesday if the Lions would consider using a future draft pick in the supplemental draft, Campbell said general manager Brad Holmes and the front office routinely evaluate every available avenue to improve the roster.
“All I could tell you is that we look at everything,” Campbell said. “Brad looks at everything, and so nothing is off the docket.”
The NFL supplemental draft allows eligible players who did not enter the regular NFL draft to be selected by teams in exchange for future draft picks.
Campbell declined to indicate whether Detroit is actively considering a move, emphasizing only that the team’s evaluators remain open to all possibilities.
“So our eyes are open,” Campbell said. “Doesn’t mean we will make a move or we won’t.”
The Lions have not participated in a supplemental draft selection during Campbell’s tenure as head coach.
Same girl, different skirt
The Lions have simplified portions of their offense this offseason, but Campbell says that doesn’t mean opposing defenses will have an easier time stopping it.
Campbell addressed comments from senior personnel executive and assistant coach David Shaw, who recently noted that Detroit has trimmed parts of its offensive package compared to last season to avoid overwhelming players during the early stages of the offseason program.
According to Campbell, the decision centers on emphasizing what the Lions already do best.
“What are the things you really feel like you can hang your hat on?” Campbell said. “We already know what our guys do well. We’re not going to go away from those.”
Rather than expanding the playbook with an entirely new collection of concepts, Campbell said the Lions are focused on finding new ways to present familiar plays.
Campbell described the approach as keeping the core offense intact while adding wrinkles through formations, motions, and pre-snap movement designed to challenge defenses.
“We’re doing a lot of the same things,” Campbell said. “But there’s so much different. It’s the same girl, different skirt.”
Campbell pointed to shifts, motions, stacked alignments, and other adjustments that force defenses to communicate and react quickly before the snap.
“The presentation for the defense is different,” Campbell said. “You make them have to talk. You make them have to communicate to adjust on the run.”
The strategy, Campbell explained, is intended to create confusion and stress for opposing defenses without requiring Lions players to learn an entirely new offensive system.
“That’s what the uptick has been,” Campbell said.
As the team heads toward training camp, Campbell believes the balance of simplicity and creativity will help Detroit maximize its strengths while continuing to evolve offensively.
“The playbook is kind of reduced right now,” Campbell said, “but we’ve done a lot more bells and whistles with it.”