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The Detroit Lions won't be afraid of taking the training wheels off in 2026.
Speaking with reporters in mid-June to end the Lions' minicamp, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions are younger than they were.
Campbell said there's some great things about youth and then there's the expected learning curve. But, while Detroit has its group of veteran, established stars, Campbell said the Lions aren't "going to let anybody hold us hostage."
Asked to elaborate on that point, Detroit's sixth-year head coach indicated that the Lions are ready to embrace its youth in spots.
"I think there’s always a balance when you get into the season of, there could be a player that’s a tick better. He’s an older player, he’s a veteran player. But, if you really feel like a young guy is learning from his mistakes and is growing, not making the same mistake twice and you feel constant growth, at some point, it’s time to push him into that position and let him go, because in about four weeks, they will be better and then they’ll continue to grow from there. If that’s not showing up, I don’t care who those players are, we’re not going through it. We’re not going to do it," Campbell said.
The Lions drafted Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Miller is expected to start straight away at right tackle.
Could Campbell be signaling that 2026 second-round NFL draft pick and Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore could be a factor quickly? With Terrion Arnold's release, the Lions' need to develop quality corners quickly only increased. Will 2026 fifth-round NFL draft pick Keith Abney get an early look?
Third-year pro Ennis Rakestraw has been limited to just eight games in his first two seasons due to injury. If he's healthy and plays close to the same level as D.J. Reed or Rock Ya-Sin, would Rakestraw get plugged into the equation as one of the Lions' long-term answers in its defensive backfield?
As training camp report dates arrive at the end of this month, any potential youth movement with the Lions should begin to become clearer.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions won't get held 'hostage': Dan Campbell not afraid to embrace youth
Continue reading...
Speaking with reporters in mid-June to end the Lions' minicamp, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions are younger than they were.
Campbell said there's some great things about youth and then there's the expected learning curve. But, while Detroit has its group of veteran, established stars, Campbell said the Lions aren't "going to let anybody hold us hostage."
Asked to elaborate on that point, Detroit's sixth-year head coach indicated that the Lions are ready to embrace its youth in spots.
"I think there’s always a balance when you get into the season of, there could be a player that’s a tick better. He’s an older player, he’s a veteran player. But, if you really feel like a young guy is learning from his mistakes and is growing, not making the same mistake twice and you feel constant growth, at some point, it’s time to push him into that position and let him go, because in about four weeks, they will be better and then they’ll continue to grow from there. If that’s not showing up, I don’t care who those players are, we’re not going through it. We’re not going to do it," Campbell said.
The Lions drafted Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Miller is expected to start straight away at right tackle.
Could Campbell be signaling that 2026 second-round NFL draft pick and Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore could be a factor quickly? With Terrion Arnold's release, the Lions' need to develop quality corners quickly only increased. Will 2026 fifth-round NFL draft pick Keith Abney get an early look?
Third-year pro Ennis Rakestraw has been limited to just eight games in his first two seasons due to injury. If he's healthy and plays close to the same level as D.J. Reed or Rock Ya-Sin, would Rakestraw get plugged into the equation as one of the Lions' long-term answers in its defensive backfield?
As training camp report dates arrive at the end of this month, any potential youth movement with the Lions should begin to become clearer.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions won't get held 'hostage': Dan Campbell not afraid to embrace youth
Continue reading...
