Don't expect the Detroit Lions to rush to sign high-cost free agents when the official signing date comes around March 13.
Head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes are united in making it a priority to reward their own players first before venturing into the uncertainty of free agency.
That's what we learned in the NFL Combine press conferences.
"Between Brad and myself, the success we've had in places that we've been has really been that way," Campbell said when he spoke to the media.
"You want to be a good team, you have to draft well and then you re-sign those players. We both believe that."
We also learned of Campbell taking responsibility for a bad play call in the NFC Championship Game vs. the 49ers and Campbell standing up for quarterback Jared Goff.
We start with Campbell and the Lions' philosophy on signing free agents:
Familiarity is a key element in stocking the roster.
"You've got to be careful," Campbell said. "You want to spend top dollar on a free agent that's not your own, you want to know everything about that player before you bring him into your locker room.
"You can see the tape, whereas your own guys, you pay top dollar for your own guys that are worthy from production because you know everything about them.
"It's something we believe in. It's something we're going to continue to do."
One man's opinion: The Lions aren't excluding free agents, but they will be thoroughly scrutinized to make sure they fit the Lions' culture and schemes.
In support of Goff: The questions keep coming, and Campbell keeps answering.
"I get it because it hasn't happened yet," Campbell said in answer to a question of whether the Lions can win a Super Bowl with Goff at quarterback. "But I don't get it, because take the NFC Championship. I thought he played a good game for us.
"He gave us a chance to win that. Since he's been here, I've seen a quarterback who's gotten better and better and better.
"Jared Goff is a winning quarterback. You can win in this league with that guy."
View photos of the defensive linemen at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Duke defensive lineman DeWayne Carter runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Houston defensive lineman Nelson Ceaser runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas Tech defensive lineman Myles Cole runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive lineman Tyler Davis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Baylor defensive lineman Gabe Hall runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive lineman Jaylen Harrell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Houston Christian defensive lineman Jalyx Hunt runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State defensive lineman Adisa Isaac runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington State defensive lineman Brennan Jackson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Javontae Jean-Baptiste runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU defensive lineman Jordan Jefferson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi defensive lineman Cedric Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Colorado State defensive lineman Mohamed Kamara runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Michigan defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Western Michigan defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia defensive lineman Zion Logue runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
North Carolina defensive lineman Myles Murphy runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Illinois defensive lineman Keith Randolph runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State defensive lineman Chop Robinson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State defensive lineman Chop Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive lineman Justin Rogers runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Troy defensive lineman Javon Solomon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive lineman Leonard Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami defensive lineman Leonard Taylor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson defensive lineman Xavier Thomas runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington defensive lineman Bralen Trice runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Washington defensive lineman Bralen Trice runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Houston defensive lineman David Ugwoegbu runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut defensive lineman Eric Watts runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Regrets: If there was one call he could take back, it was calling the running play on third & goal in the final series against the 49ers in the NFC Championship.
David Montgomery was thrown for a loss. The Lions had to use their third and final timeout. Jameson Williams caught a TD pass on fourth down, but the Lions were out of timeouts and didn't get the ball back.
"I should have waited until fourth down," Campbell said. "The smarter thing is you throw it and at least you know the clock stops or you score.
"And you hold the time out."
Obviously, the wrong play call by the coach.
Just as obviously – if not more so – customary honesty from Campbell.
