Over the past few days, Lions head coach Dan Campbell has taken a lot of criticism over how he handled some decisions in Detroit’s NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It’s still a talking point in many places; I did a radio guest spot in Texas late in the week, and two of the first three questions revolved around Campbell’s “mistakes.”
The Lions players see things quite differently. One of the team’s top talents, right tackle Penei Sewell, clearly takes offense to anyone questioning Campbell.
“I don’t agree with any criticism towards Coach. I’ve got his back until the end,” Sewell said to ESPN during Pro Bowl weekend in Florida.
The All-Pro right tackle wasn’t done praising and respecting Campbell.
“If he tells me to jump off a cliff with him, I’m right next to him,” Sewell continued. “I’m so serious. So whatever he says, whatever he calls, we’ve just got to execute. So, that’s on us really. That’s my guy.”
Campbell did acknowledge regretting the late run call in the red zone that cost the Lions a critical timeout. Beyond that, the popular head coach hasn’t shown any faltering in his decision-making process. His players don’t have a problem with it, either.