Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell wants no part of the new NFL rule that allows coaches to designate an assistant to throw the challenge flag during games this fall.
Campbell said Sunday, Aug. 16, he plans to handle all challenges himself this season. He unsuccessfully challenged one play in the Lions' preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I'm not giving that flag up to anybody," Campbell said. "No way.”
Asked why, Campbell said, "Look, the buck stops with me, anyway."
"I'm answering the questions, so why would I give it to somebody else for me to answer for somebody else?" he said. "It all comes to me, anyway. And so yeah, that's it.”
The NFL tweaked its rules this offseason to allow the head coach or his designee to initiate a challenge by
throwing a red flag onto the field. Previously, only head coaches were allowed to challenge plays under the league's replay rules.
Since Campbell took over as coach in 2021, the Lions are 10 for 24 on challenges, according to Pro Football Reference. Campbell typically makes decisions on which plays to challenge in consultation with an assistant.
Roster moves
The Lions waived running back Kye Robichaux and safety Loren Strickland with injured designations Sunday. Robichaux broke a bone in his foot, and Strickland suffered a leg injury against the Bengals. The Lions signed cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe and officially added running back Trayveon Williams as replacements.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Campbell: 'No way' I'm giving up challenge flag under new rules
