What we learned from Detroit Lions' first week of training camp

New York Times

10 hours ago

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The first week of practice for the Detroit Lions has concluded.
Here's what we learned:
Campbell has been asked about his new offensive and defensive coordinators throughout the offseason. It's arguably the biggest question people have when discussing the Lions in 2025, a commonly used narrative to support this team's doubters. Campbell's not buying it.
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'First of all, it doesn't matter what I say. It's already been written, so that's coming,' Campbell said. 'That's already a narrative. I'm not going to change that, none of us will. A loss, it's coming. We don't do well on offense, it's coming. Something happens defensively, it's coming. That narrative is coming. It's written, it's done, I have no control over that. If you're asking me personally, yeah, I don't think it's what it's played out to be.'
Campbell lost both coordinators and a slew of other assistants to the coaching carousel this offseason. He promoted Kelvin Sheppard and hired John Morton to replace defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, respectively. And though it's easy to see Campbell's prediction coming true if the team struggles, his process was sound — he hired two coaches he knows and trusts who simply want to build upon what the team has done well.
You can see it in practice. Sheppard is young and energetic, molded for the job he has after spending the last four seasons as an assistant on Campbell's staff. Morton helped Campbell and Johnson build this offense as a senior offensive assistant in 2022, and he coached with Campbell in New Orleans.
We'll see what's in store this year, but both coordinators — as well as the Lions' other new assistants — feel like Campbell guys. That's worked out in the past.
Gibbs spent part of his time this week with WRs coach Scottie Montgomery, running routes for individual drills before rejoining the backs. I've seen the Lions start Gibbs in the backfield and motion him to the slot. I've seen him start in the slot and line up at RB. He's run wheel routes, Texas routes, quick outs, slants and more while still handling his backfield duties. It's become common to see him share the field with Montgomery, too.
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I'm curious to see how much receiver he plays, but he had 517 receiving yards — without this level of emphasis on his receiving skills — a year ago.
I've been really impressed with some of the young receivers getting opportunities. The obvious name to start with is Isaac TeSlaa, the No. 70 pick in this year's draft. The Lions traded a lot to acquire TeSlaa, but nobody will remember that if he hits.
TeSlaa catches everything with his hands — never with his body. He's big, can jump and run and has flashed with the pads on. On Friday, he 'Moss'd' defensive back Avonte Maddox in a one-on-one drill; on the final snap of Saturday's practice, he beat Dicaprio Bootle on a slot fade just short of the end zone for a 29-yard gain. I really like what I've seen from No. 18, and I'd like to see him get some first-team reps.
I'd also keep an eye on Dominic Lovett. He's shifty, can cut on a dime, and the coaches are excited about his special teams potential. I'd project him on the roster if I had to today.
This is the best Williams has looked heading into a season. He's got a year of production under his belt — and he's acting like it. He's calling for the ball more often (which I like seeing from him) and his route running looks cleaner with fewer wasted steps. He's even mentoring Detroit's younger receivers.
Williams had 1,001 receiving yards last year. I'd be shocked if he doesn't top that number, and then some.
Coach Campbell on Jamo's continued development pic.twitter.com/g0cjxkUpgi
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 26, 2025
Small sample size, but I watched LaPorta take on a couple of defenders on a blitz pickup drill a few days ago and he handled his business without issue.
LaPorta said he wanted to work on his blocking this offseason, and the Lions hired Tyler Roehl, a former fullback, to be his new position coach. If Roehl can help LaPorta — who's already serviceable as a blocker — further improve, we'll be talking about LaPorta having an All-Pro-caliber season.
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Frank Ragnow is probably somewhere fishing in Minnesota, having retired after seven years in the league. Graham Glasgow and rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge are battling it out for Ragnow's old job, and each has a compelling case. Glasgow was Ragnow's primary backup the last two seasons, and you could make the argument that his best traits — his football IQ and experience — are better fits at center than guard. The argument for Ratledge would be having an athletic mauler replace the one the Lions lost, and Jared Goff and Glasgow could help him with calls at the line.
Ratledge got the bulk of the center snaps the first few days of practice, though Glasgow handled the work in recent days. Regardless, both players will be factors this year.
Meanwhile, second-year pro Christian Mahogany looks like he's ready to go at left guard — he's been impressive. Taylor Decker remains out with a shoulder injury, but he's expected back in early August. Detroit's tackle depth is thin (as it is in most camps), although young tackle Giovanni Manu could change that narrative with a strong preseason.
If there were any lingering concerns over Hutchinson's injury, they can be put to rest. He's moving like the guy we saw lead the league in sacks, pressures and win rate last year before suffering a season-ending leg injury. He's winning one-on-ones with regularity against the offensive line, including a nice rep versus Penei Sewell on the first day in pads Friday. In a team period that same practice, he penetrated the backfield for a would-be sack of Goff and was great against the run Saturday.
It's fair to want to see more, but Hutchinson's performance has done nothing to suggest his injury has lingered.
Plays were made pic.twitter.com/6vDFFqYQI1
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 25, 2025
After a recent practice, Hutchinson approached rookie sixth-round edge Hassanein and told him (jokingly) to stop stealing his moves. You'll have to excuse Hassanein, though. He and Hutchinson are cut from the same cloth in terms of mindset and love of the game, so it makes sense that Hassanein would try to emulate one of the NFL's best.
I watched Hassanein win a one-on-one rep using Hutchinson's signature spin move — and if he already has that in his bag, he might be a quicker study than anticipated. Lions coaches are excited about his potential.
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Williams has been with the starting defense for almost every team rep. Injuries to Levi Onwuzurike (ACL, out for the year), Alim McNeill (ACL) and Mekhi Wingo (meniscus) have paved the way for the first-round pick to receive starting snaps earlier than expected. He had an impressive day Saturday, including winning a rep against Ratledge to bottle up a David Montgomery run.
Having played at Ohio State, Williams is used to bright lights and comes with a championship pedigree. His even-keeled demeanor is a perfect fit on this team. I'm excited to see more of him in pads.
In other D-line news, it feels like I see UDFA rookie Keith Cooper winning a rep every time I look up. He made quick work of veteran Jamarco Jones in one-on-ones Saturday, then beat Trystan Colon, another vet, a few reps later. In team periods, he's generated pressure when playing defensive tackle and contained the run when on the edge. Campbell singled him out as a player the team could turn to for interior help. I'd like to see him get more opportunities.
Anzalone wasn't at practice the first couple of days while dealing with a hamstring injury. Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes and veteran Zach Cunningham held it down in his absence.
But there's more to the story. Anzalone, entering the final year of his contract, revealed to local media that he's disappointed with the lack of dialogue on an extension:
He was limited in practice Saturday as he works his way back into the mix, but it doesn't sound like he's any closer to an extension. The Lions have several members of their young core to pay, so it's possible Anzalone could be playing out his final season in Detroit.
Arnold has arguably been the most impressive player in camp. You can count the number of catches he's allowed in team periods on one hand. And even when he does allow one, he's right there for the tackle, giving receivers little breathing room. He's been sticky in coverage, showing improved ball skills, and his confidence remains sky high.
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He was my breakout candidate before camp began and has only strengthened his grip on that title.
Sheppard said Arnold took the leap this offseason. He's showing it now.
It's a bit jarring sometimes watching Branch on the field versus off it. When interviewed in the locker room, he's this sometimes-shy, timid, soft-spoken player who credits his coaches and teammates for putting him in positions to succeed. On the field, he sees red. He gives zero you-know-whats and has this look about him.
You sometimes wonder if it's the same person.
He delivered several hard hits on his teammates this week. At one point, he had to be separated from Amon-Ra St. Brown by Goff after some early practice trash talk bled over to the team period. Coaches also had to take him out for a play to gather his composure. If he can redirect that energy and channel it onto other teams, he'll be an All-Pro this year.
The more I watch this secondary, the more I think it can be one of the NFL's best. Sheppard said he expects it to be the strength of his defense. It might not reflect in the raw passing numbers — Detroit's defense takes away the run, plays a heavy dose of man coverage and opponents might have to play catch-up — but there aren't many I'd take before it in terms of pure talent.
The Lions boast two All-Pro-caliber safeties, one of the league's most consistent corners in D.J. Reed, a young riser in Arnold and an underrated, physical nickel in Amik Robertson. They've got everything they need to be elite.
OH YEAH @_YoungTruth7‼️ pic.twitter.com/H7Dgq0IemZ
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 26, 2025
If it felt like a different player was leaving practice early each day this past week, it's because they were. This, of course, caused some panic among a fan base that watched a promising 2024 Lions squad succumb to injury. But it's important to remember that not all injuries are season-ending or long-term.
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Ennis Rakestraw Jr. missed a few practices with a chest contusion (essentially, a fancy word for bruise). Roy Lopez sat out a few days after taking a cleat to the foot. Barnes (finger) and Arnold (calf) left practice Thursday but returned the next day.
It's clear the Lions are being cautious. If it were the middle of the season, some of these guys likely would've played through things. No need to do that in July.
Campbell had to briefly pause practice on consecutive days, the first time because his defense was taking too many players to the ground in team periods, and the second because too many fights had broken out.
It's a bit comical that Campbell, of all coaches, had to be the one to tone things down. However, those outbursts were far too physical for shorts, and the fights weren't helping the Lions accomplish anything. Things have tempered now that pads have come on, but this group looks ready to hit someone else. The Lions will kick off the preseason next week versus the Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game, then will host the Dolphins and Texans for joint practices next month.
(Photo of Jahmyr Gibbs: Ryan Sun / Associated Press)