Lions' Campbell not sweating Super Bowl pressure
After years as an afterthought, the Detroit Lions are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2024. Despite the increased pressure, head coach Dan Campbell is focused solely on the ultimate prize and ignoring Super Bowl-or-bust talk.
"I don't see bust. I see Super Bowl," Campbell said Thursday, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I don't know what bust is."
The Lions won their first-ever NFC North title in 2023 before ending a 32-year wait for a playoff win in the wild-card round. Detroit fell short in the NFC Championship Game after leading the San Francisco 49ers by 17 points at halftime.
Campbell knows the Lions must start building themselves up now if they're to go one step further in 2024.
"You've got to set yourself up no different than last year, certain things you gotta do to really make that valid and to make that a reality," Campbell said. "Ultimately, that's what we want to do. Now to do that, you better win the division. … You've got to start with where we're at now.
"You've got to go back to work. You've got to do all the little things, which to this point, our guys have done."
The Lions have gone all-in on their current core this offseason, signing quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and left tackle Penei Sewell to big-money extensions totaling $444 million.
Detroit was also aggressive in the draft and free agency. The club traded up in the first round to secure cornerback Terrion Arnold, one of four times it moved up during the draft. The Lions also handed defensive tackle D.J. Reader a two-year, $22-million deal in free agency and acquired cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade.
HEADLINES
- Eagles' Hurts sustains concussion in loss to Commanders
- Jared Goff throws 3 TDs as Lions beat Bears for franchise-record 13th win
- Penix wins debut as Atlanta QB as Falcons return 2 picks for TDs, beat hapless Giants
- Bengals' Higgins on Burrow: 'F--k Batman, he's Superman'
- Jonathan Taylor rebounds with 218 yards, 3 TD runs as Colts hold off Titans