In a season unanimously viewed as a failure, there are many parts of the 2025 Detroit Lions that can be considered disappointing. Whether it is the continued onslaught of injuries, the regression from
the offense, the struggles of the defense, or the inability to reach the playoffs—let alone compete for a Super Bowl—a lot went wrong for Detroit. Yet with one game left to play before the book closes on the season, can we acknowledge some positive moments?
Many will fall into the “nothing can be viewed positively since they missed the playoffs” camp. While it is understandable to judge a season in a black and white way, either success or failure, the truth of the matter is that the Lions are not staring down the barrel of a total rebuild—they can expect tough questions with tough answers, sure, but not a total rebuild. The core of the team is still intact, and it’s not hard to envision a rebound next season.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What has been the most encouraging part of the 2025 Detroit Lions season?
My answer: Jack Campbell’s breakout.
There are a lot of honorable mentions for this discussion. Jahmyr Gibbs showcased an elite skill set—when the blocking held up. Jameson Williams had some duds, but he nonetheless put together another 1,000-yard season, all while growing as a route runner. Al-Quadin Muhammad proved that his late 2024 tear was not a fluke with over 10 sacks in 2025, albeit in limited snaps—perhaps too limited. Thomas Harper proved to be an excellent waiver wire claim, not only starting multiple games but playing fairly well when called upon.
However, they all pale in comparison to Campbell’s ascension. His 2023 rookie campaign was rough: the flashes of athleticism were there, but the mental game lagged far behind. In 2024, he started to put it together, looking far more comfortable as a central figure on defense. This season, Campbell has elevated his game to a Pro Bowl level and, with enough support, arguably an All-Pro level too.
He has taken significant strides in run defense and is now perhaps the best run stopping linebacker in the league (per PFF, he is first in run defense grade among linebackers). Equally impressive has been his pass rushing prowess. He is no Micah Parsons, but his blitzing ability has vastly improved over previous seasons. In the past, his blitzes were carried by his athleticism. The athleticism was still present in 2025, but he complemented it with a knack for finding the right lane to exploit. He presently has five sacks on the season, third on the team behind Aidan Hutchinson (13.5) and Muhammad (11.0). While this might say a lot about the Lions’ pass rush, that should not discount the role Campbell has played.
Campbell is second in the NFL in tackles, and he has earned every single one of them. For as bad as the Lions were in 2025, Campbell was a bright spot nearly every week.
