Detroit Lions players have defended head coach Dan Campbell after he faced a wave of criticism for his fourth-quarter decision in the team’s NFC Championship loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
“Like I say every time I get asked that question, Dan is the best coach in the league,” Lions running back David Montgomery said when asked about the decisions, via The Detroit News. “Every call he makes, we trust him and support him. Every call he makes is the right call.”
Montgomery’s comments come after Campbell made two controversial fourth-down decisions on Sunday, giving up two viable scoring opportunities to go for it. The Lions would soon lose the game 34-31 after failing to recover an onside kick in the final minute of the game.
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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levis Stadium on January 28, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The first came midway through the third quarter when the Lions, trailing 24-10, faced a fourth-and-2 from the 49ers’ 28-yard line. Instead of kicking a 45-yard field goal, Campbell decided to keep the offense on the field, resulting in wide receiver Josh Reynolds dropping a pass that would have led to a first down.
The second came midway through the fourth quarter, with the Lions leading by 3. Facing a fourth-and-3 from the 49ers’ 30-yard line, Campbell again decided to keep the offense on the field, resulting in an incomplete pass and another blocked turnover.
Those moves were widely panned by critics, including Outkick’s Dan Dakich, who said Campbell made “career-altering” mistakes in the game.
“The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins.” “Don’t @ me,” the host said of the decisions. “He made a career-changing mistake. And it was a simple move – a goal kick, no motivation.”
Detroit Lions’ Josh Reynolds misses a catch during the NFC Championship Game on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Campbell also faced heat on social media, as NFL fans and commentators took to X to express their displeasure with the decisions.
“Dan Campbell is an absolute moron–. They can’t blame anyone but him if they lose,” wrote NESN’s Kendra Middleton.
“I know Dan Campbell’s whole philosophy is to go for it but I mean… I’m stunned,” said Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports.
But Lions players had a different perspective, coming to their coach’s defense. One of those players was Reynolds, who dropped a pass on the first failed fourth-down attempt.
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“He called it because he fully expected us to get it. We did, but the execution (failed),” Reynolds said, according to the Detroit News. “You don’t want to lose. I mean, losing in the Super Bowl, that makes it that much worse.”
Another Campbell defender is Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who said he “loved” the decisions made during the game.
“I love them… we just didn’t connect. I’ll throw a better ball next time.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks with quarterback Jared Goff during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Nov. 12, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Campbell has become renowned in NFL circles for his aggressive nature during his tenure with the Lions, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down in the 2023 season. During the regular season, the Lions attempted to go for it on fourth-and-under three yards 21 times, converting 16 (76.1%) of those opportunities.
Meanwhile, the team also faces a question mark at the starting position all season, with current starter Michael Badgley only promoted from the team’s practice squad after week 14.
For his part, Campbell told reporters after the loss that he had “no regrets” about his fourth-down decision.
“I felt really good about us converting,” Campbell said. “And getting our momentum going and not letting them play long balls. They ran out the clock – that’s what they do – and I wanted to get back on top.”
