Jack Campbell’s dedication to preparation is what truly sets him apart on game day—and it’s a game-changer for the Detroit Lions’ defense. Every week, the Lions’ third-year linebacker sits down one-on-one with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to dissect the upcoming game plan in detail. But Campbell isn’t just interested in memorizing plays; he wants to understand the reasoning behind every call and scheme. This level of curiosity and commitment is rare, even among the NFL’s elite linebackers.
Sheppard, who coached Campbell for several years before becoming the Lions’ defensive coordinator, explains that their shared history gives Campbell a unique edge. "I was Jack's coach for a few years, so he already understood my terminology and thought process," Sheppard said. "Now that I’m calling the plays, he meets with me weekly—not because he has to, but because he wants to. He asks, ‘Why are you calling this on second-and-five? Why does the nickel need to do this?’"
This inquisitive approach allows Campbell to take ownership of the defense. He can relay the rationale behind each call to his teammates, holding them accountable and even stepping up to call plays himself if the green dot—the signal for the defensive play-caller—goes out. "He takes pride in that responsibility," Sheppard added.
And the results speak volumes. Through the first five games of the season, Campbell ranks as the fourth highest-graded linebacker in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. He’s become a cornerstone of Detroit’s defense, living up to the expectations set when the Lions selected him 18th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Campbell leads the team with 48 tackles and has contributed a sack, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Remarkably, he’s one of only two NFL players this season to have at least 40 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a sack—the other being Jacksonville’s Foyesade Oluokun. His prowess against the run is second-best among linebackers league-wide, and he’s made significant strides in pass coverage, an area that was initially a weakness. Now, he ranks in the top 12 at his position in coverage grades.
This blend of skill, toughness, and preparation gives Sheppard the freedom to diversify his defensive schemes, which has helped the Lions rank in the top half of the league across nearly every major defensive statistic so far this year. But here’s where it gets controversial: Could Campbell’s deep involvement in the play-calling process be a blueprint for developing future defensive leaders? Or does it risk overburdening a young player? What do you think?
Switching gears to the offense, wide receiver Jameson Williams might not be lighting up the stat sheet with catches—he’s had just five receptions over the past three weeks for under 100 yards—but his impact on the game is undeniable. His blocking in the run game has been a crucial factor, and his blazing speed continues to influence how opposing defenses cover the Lions.
"Cincinnati played a lot more zone coverage last week, which they hadn’t done much on film," Lions offensive coordinator John Morton explained. "That’s the Jameson effect. His presence forces defenses to adjust, which opens up opportunities for other weapons."
Indeed, Williams’ threat has created more space for wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam Laporta, as well as for short passes to running backs. This dynamic has been instrumental in Detroit scoring at least 34 points in each of their last four games.
Speaking of St. Brown, he’s been a reception machine this season, ranking fourth in the NFL with 35 catches. He’s recorded at least seven receptions in each of the Lions’ last four games. Since entering the league in 2021, St. Brown has had eight or more receptions in 25 games. If he manages eight catches in the upcoming game against Kansas City, he’ll surpass Justin Jefferson’s 25 games for the second-most games with at least eight receptions in a player’s first five NFL seasons—only Michael Thomas, with 31 games, stands ahead of him.
Looking ahead to Week 6, the Kansas City Chiefs are entering the matchup relatively healthy, with no players missing practice as they prepare to face the Lions. On Detroit’s side, Kalif Raymond returned to practice Thursday after missing time due to a neck injury sustained against the Bengals. Raymond’s presence could be a key factor on special teams, especially since he ranks fifth in the league in punt return average (minimum 10 returns).
So, what’s your take? Is Jack Campbell’s deep dive into defensive strategy the future of linebacker leadership? And how much do you think Jameson Williams’ off-the-stat-sheet contributions affect the Lions’ offensive success? Share your thoughts below—let’s get the conversation started!
