Dan Campbell tells Lions players to end Super Bowl talk

Coach wants focus shifted ahead of start of regular season

Now that Week 1 of the NFL regular season is nearing, the tone of coaches and players will gradually shift.

Prior to the season, players, coaches, and front offices are questioned about season goals, and analysts and fans assess the team’s realistic chances of winning the Lombardi Trophy.

Now that the Detroit Lions have begun their preparations for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Dan Campbell wants the talk about winning the Super Bowl to stop.

When asked about the psychology of players, coaches, and the front office constantly talking about the Super Bowl, Campbell responded, “It’s funny, because I just told the team, ‘Let’s not talk about it anymore.'”

Certainly, Detroit is aware that it has placed itself in position to make another deep playoff run.

The fourth-year head coach’s focus changes to the daily duties that must be completed in order for the Lions to have a chance of competing in and winning Super Bowl 59 in February 2025.

“Of course we do; who doesn’t?” We’ve reached the point where it no longer matters. So, what does that do? Does nothing. Campbell emphasised that now the focus is on the steps to get there. “And the steps are that you should win your division so that you can return to your home ground. And then, once you have a home game, it’s all about seeding, right? And you win these head-to-head matches. And all of a sudden you are the three seed. You’re the second seed. Maybe you’re the only seed.”

The first step is to face a playoff-caliber opponent led by Matthew Stafford, a seasoned quarterback who is well experienced with Detroit’s defence.

Detroit is currently focussing on placing itself in the best possible position for success in 2024. This involves winning games, having the highest possible seed, and being on the right side of NFC head-to-head matches.

“So, we’ve got to win the division, man. And thus it begins with the first game against an NFC opponent who could win the West at the end of the year. You win a head-to-head match. So, it’s all about figuring out what provides you the best odds. That’s quite a long way off. So now it’s all about preparing yourself for that,” Campbell explained. “How do you do that?” As we previously stated, it all begins with the first game. NFC opponent, a very solid opponent who I believe will face all of us in the playoffs at the end of this year. So that’s it. “And you find a way to win your division again.”

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