Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Tuesday just about 48 hours after his team claimed their second straight NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs by beating Minnesota Sunday night in Game 272 of the regular season.
The top seed comes with a first-round bye, which means Campbell and the Lions have a week to recover and recharge their batteries as they await their matchup in the Divisional Round.
Here are all the key questions from Campbell's Tuesday press conference:
What jumped out to Campbell the most about Sunday's 31-9 win over Minnesota?
The play of the defense.
Minnesota was held out of the end zone and was just 3-for-13 on third down, 0-for-3 on fourth down, 0-for-4 in the red zone and 0-for-3 in goal-to-go efficiency.
"What an unbelievable job," Campbell said of the defense. "That was one of the best performances I think we've had all year. You could argue it was the best performance."
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn put together a terrific game plan for the Vikings and is in demand for interviews in this year's head coaching cycle. What does Campbell think of Glenn's chances to land a job this time around?
Campbell said Glenn is as good of a coach as there is out there and an even better human being.
"Look, if nobody wants him, I'll take him again," Campbell said. "I can tell you that right now."
Campbell said the thought of going through another cycle with Glenn not getting one of these head coaching vacancies is 'ridiculous.' Glenn can do it all, according to Campbell. He can manage a game, understands offense, defense and special teams, knows how to communicate, understands discipline and he's motivated and inspiring.
Glenn came up with a terrific defensive plan against the Vikings and it was executed perfectly by the players on that side of the ball. Campbell couldn't say enough about Glenn and that defensive effort Sunday night.
Campbell also spoke highly about offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has been requested for multiple interviews this cycle too. Campbell said both Glenn and Johnson are smart, strategic, understand how to teach, communicate, motivate, and their work speaks for themselves. He said both are more than worthy to be head coaches. He also included special teams coordinator Dave Fipp and assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery in that conversation.
Because the Lions have the bye week it gives Glenn and Johnson more time to focus on interviews while not trying to game plan at the same time.
"It's really good for everybody," Campbell said.
What does the schedule look like for the coaches and players this week?
For the players, they came in Tuesday and did a little work. They have the day off Wednesday and will come back Thursday to the Meijer Performance Center for a light practice working some game situations. They will then be off Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
As for the coaches, Campbell didn't want to burden them with a lot of leg work on potential Divisional Round opponents that might not even come to fruition. So he's also giving the coaches Friday, Saturday and Sunday off to recharge the batteries.
By Sunday night, the Lions might know their next opponent so they can get to work first thing Monday and back in full game plan mode. The only team the Lions could potentially face in the Divisional Round they haven't played yet this season is Washington.
For somebody who eats, sleeps and breathes football as much as Campbell does, what will his bye weekend look like?
"I'll have to drink the game," Campbell said with a big smile and to plenty laughs among the media members.
Jokes aside, Campbell said he's going to get some work in over the next couple days and then wants to spend time with family over the weekend.
Go inside the Detroit Lions locker room following the team's division-clinching victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73), Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77), Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74), Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62), and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (17) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60), Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77), Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) is awarded a game ball after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62), Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68), Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71), Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13), Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60), Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74), and Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) and Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) receives a game ball after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell celebrates after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell awards Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) a game ball after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) is awarded a game ball after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34), and Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
What are the injury updates heading into the bye week?
Running back David Montgomery is expected back for Detroit's Divisional Round game next weekend, per Campbell. That's obviously great news for the Lions' offense. Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have been the best duo in football all season. And while Gibbs has really excelled with Montgomery dealing with a knee injury the last few weeks, Montgomery gives them a toughness between the tackles and in short-yardage situations, that is big for this offense. Montgomery has 12 rushing touchdowns with a 4.2-yard average per carry this season.
Guard Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) and cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) both left Sunday's game with injuries and didn't return, but Campbell said the news was positive for both players. It doesn't necessarily mean they'll be ready for the Divisional Round, but it's not something that is season-ending if the Lions advance in the playoffs. The news was not as good on the calf injury suffered by defensive lineman Pat O'Connor Sunday, per Campbell.
Campbell also said there's a chance cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. could return during Detroit's playoff run.
What about some of the players who have been dealing with longer-term injuries?
That list would include cornerback Carlton Davis III (jaw), linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) and defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg).
"They are doing great, but I don't see them coming back at all," Campbell said.
Asked specifically about Hutchinson, who has said he'll return for the Super Bowl if the Lions advance that far:
"I'm going to say it again. He has a season-ending injury but if anyone can come back from this, it would be Aidan," Campbell said. "It's the best way to say it."
