Dan Campbell has completely reshaped the perception of Detroit Lions football. Yet somehow — perhaps because of his success — he’s still under fire.
In a recent article from Action Network’s Alicia Grimes, Campbell was ranked as the sixth most overrated head coach in the NFL, based on social media data.
That’s right — sixth. Not exactly the list you want your head coach appearing on, especially after leading one of the most impressive turnarounds in team history.
So, who ranked ahead of Campbell in this dubious distinction? Steelers icon Mike Tomlin topped the list, followed by Mike Macdonald (Seahawks), Sean Payton (Broncos), Kyle Shanahan (49ers), and Jim Harbaugh (Chargers).
It’s a blend of established names and rising newcomers, and Campbell’s spot just behind them might surprise a lot of Lions supporters.
Let’s stick to the facts: when Campbell arrived in 2021, the Lions were in shambles.
They finished 3-13-1 in his first season, but he flipped the script with consecutive winning years — 9-8 in 2022, 12-5 in 2023, and an eye-popping 15-2 in 2024. That’s more than just progress. That’s a full-blown transformation.
Naturally, success brings higher expectations. The Lions were real Super Bowl hopefuls last season.
But when they were stunned by the Commanders — in a game where Detroit’s defense was held together by hopes and healthy scratches — critics came out in force. But is that criticism really fair?
Campbell didn’t lose that playoff game on his own. The Lions were decimated by injuries, especially on defense, and even elite coaches struggle when half the roster is sidelined.
Still, when a team falls short of its goals, the head coach usually bears the weight of the fallout.
The silver lining? Campbell isn’t staying up at night over attention-grabbing rankings — nor should he.
With a healthier lineup and another solid offseason directed by GM Brad Holmes, the Lions are definitely contenders once more.
And if Campbell can push this team past its plateau, the only rankings he’ll care about will be postseason standings.
