As a Bears fan, it’s always been difficult for me to admit, but this year I found myself secretly rooting for the Detroit Lions. It’s a strange feeling, considering the heated rivalry between Chicago and Detroit during the Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson years. But this season, as I watched the Lions’ progress under new head coach Dan Campbell, it was hard not to admire what they were building.
When Campbell was hired in 2021, the Lions had been struggling, finishing in fourth place in the NFC North for three consecutive seasons under the ill-fated tenure of Matt Patricia. It was easy for Bears fans to laugh at the Lions’ new head coach, who made headlines with his soliloquy about biting off kneecaps. It seemed like another tough guy coach who would preach old-school, smash-mouth football while his team continued to flounder.
But as the 2022 season progressed, it became clear that the Lions were on an upward trajectory. Meanwhile, the Bears found themselves in a state of perpetual confusion, constantly cycling through inexperienced coaches. It was hard not to be jealous of the aggressive and gritty football that the Lions were playing, especially when they trounced the Bears 41-10 in Week 17.
I found myself admiring Campbell’s “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” attitude, even if it may have cost the Lions a trip to the Super Bowl. In the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers, Campbell chose to go for it on fourth down twice, instead of taking the safer option of kicking field goals. In hindsight, it may have been a mistake, as those six points could have made up the difference in the final score.
But I can’t fault Campbell for sticking to his guns. He has consistently shown a willingness to do the unexpected and an unwavering faith in his team. Whether it’s calling trick plays, going for two-point conversions, or attempting fake punts, Campbell has shown that he believes in his players, and they in turn are willing to run through a brick wall for him.
It’s easy to criticize these decisions in hindsight, but in the heat of the moment, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, it takes guts to stick to your instincts and not play it safe. Every year, fans and commentators bemoan coaches who “play not to lose” instead of playing to win. Campbell’s aggressive play-calling may not have resulted in a Super Bowl berth, but it’s refreshing to see a coach who doesn’t shy away from taking risks.
In contrast, when Matt Nagy was the head coach of the Bears, he had a sticker on his playsheet that said “Be You.” It became a punchline for Bears fans, as it seemed like Nagy was a coach with a perfect offense in his head, but not on the field. Campbell, on the other hand, has remained true to himself and his aggressive style of coaching, even in high-pressure situations.
As a Bears fan, I can’t help but feel a tinge of envy. Chicago could certainly use a coach like Campbell, someone who believes in his team and isn’t afraid to take risks. Maybe it’s time for a trade? Detroit, are you up for it?
