You could tell something was a little different when FOX cameras caught Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell wearing some glasses on the sideline. As the game progressed, it became more and more clear
Campbell had a bigger influence in the offense than in normal week. While he is always on the headset with a play-call sheet in his hands, FOX cameras constantly caught him looking like he was relaying plays to quarterback Jared Goff.
According to Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers, Campbell has indeed taken over playcalling from offensive coordinator John Morton.
FOX sideline reporter Megan Olivi talked to Campbell at halftime, and relayed this information about the change in operations.
“He told me they just wanted to mix things up. Everyone is still involved in personnel and the players. They just wanted to find a bit of a rhythm,” Olivi said.
On Friday, Campbell was asked if his involvement in the offense could change if offensive struggles continued. This was his response:
“Everything we do offensively, we do together. So, we all have ideas, we all have input, we all come together. A lot of times it’ll start with something, and it grows to something else because of another coach, put an idea on top of what somebody else brought up. So, that’s all we think about and talk about is, ‘Man, how do we become more efficient? How do we help our guys?’ Just find the rhythm, that’s all. We’ve just got to get a little rhythm. We find our rhythm, we get some early first downs, we get some explosives. And I think of a little bit like you’re trying to get that fire started and it’s smoldering, it’s just smoke and you see some embers, but you can’t get it lit, and you just need a little oxygen. So, that’s what us as coaches – just give them a little oxygen and they’ll do the rest, this thing will go. And so that’s what we’re charged with. So, I like our plan to this point, and we all have to do our job.”
However big of a change the Lions made with playcalling, it appeared to work. The Lions scored points on all four possessions in the first half against the Commanders, building a 25-10 lead at halftime.
