LIONS HEAD COACH DAN CAMPBELL QUOTE SHEET
December 29, 2025
On the team’s mindset headed into the last game of the season: “Yeah, I mean we’ve got one more left. And look, you can always find a lot out with one to go. And no, we’re not playing for the playoffs but there are still things we can find out. And I expect the guys that we have here to give it what they’ve got one more time. That’s the expectation.”
On what are some things they can find out in this last game: “How players play, how they do on the road maybe a second time, how they play at this position, how they handle the pressure, how they handle with nothing to play for. There’s a little bit of everything. You could find a lot out.”
On what veteran or injured players if any he has decided will not play this weekend: “Well the injury report is – we’re pretty riddled right now. So, I don’t know.”
On if the players with season-long injuries like Lions T Taylor Decker will play: “I mean we’ll find more out here in the next day or two. I mean if they can play, we’re playing.”
On if he will treat this like a normal game week or give younger guys reps that he would not normally: “Yeah, I think if guys can’t go because of injury, then the next guy up will go. Young or old – or young or veteran, I should say – next best guy available.”
On an injury update for Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: “Yeah, I think long-term he’s going to be OK, which is good. That’s good news.”
On if Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown’s knee is part of his injury: “That’s part of it, yeah.”
On if the ‘questionable’ status holds different meaning on an injury report when a game does not matter in regard to playoffs: “Yeah, I think so. I mean I think if we’re sitting there borderline and the player – it could be hard or we think they’re setting themselves up for a long-term risk, then no, it’s not worth it. But if it’s the stuff doesn’t feel good and it’s bumps and bruises and it’s – then no, it’s like the next game up.”
On if Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown will be OK in the short-term and will be available this week: “Day-to-day. Yeah, day-to-day. He wants to go. And he’ll be day-to-day. He’s improved.”
On if he keeps his focus entirely on the Bears or if he starts getting a headstart on the big-picture stuff for the offseason: “Yeah, well I think there are things that you can’t help but think about since that game that go through my mind a little bit. But at the same token, I know we have one more and I owe it to these guys, to the players and coaches to be locked in for another game here. Because it’s not fair to go out there and say that we’re going to do everything we can, prepare to win but we’re not really doing that. Then we shouldn’t even go out there. So, I’m not there yet. There are things that have crossed my mind, but I’m so far from all of that. Got to get ready for this one.”
On how the Bears have changed since playing them earlier in the season: “They’re more polished. They’re a better team. They’ve – really since that time they lead the League in takeaways on defense. I mean they’re getting them. It’s like we talk about, it’s contagious for them. Those guys are getting them in a good way. Got one the other night. Once again, it turned into a touchdown. And it’s much more sound. (Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen) D.A.’s got his system in, and it’s grown and developed. And they’re keeping teams out of the end zone, keeping the offense ahead, which is – that’s what you’ve got to do on defense, get the takeaways. That’s big. And then offensively, they’re more polished. (Bears Head Coach) Ben (Johnson)’s done a good job. The system is in and these little things that were there game two, game one, they’ve begun to go away. It’s – they’ve got a run game. They’ve found a run game, play-action pass, (Bears QB) Caleb (Williams)’s playing really well, O-line’s playing really well. Got a run game, (Bears RB D’Andre) Swift’s running well, (Bears RB Kyle Monangai) 25, he’s a downhill, hard runner too. Tight end’s playing good, both of them – really all three of them. So, they’re playing at a high level. They’re doing things well. Much more polished.”
On how much he has to step back and appreciate the group of guys on the team that are here who have been through it all and how much he emphasizes to the roster that it is the last time this group will be together: “Well, I think there is something to that because it is. It is the last time this group will be together. And you go through that every year. Certainly, we’re not where we want to be with one left. But at the same token, this group of guys has laid it on the line, they’ve come to work every day, busted their tails. And so really, it’s you’ve got one more to not let the guy next to you down. And that’s how I always felt as a player. It didn’t matter how I felt or what I thought, I couldn’t let that guy next to me down. That’s the ultimate motivation.”
On if there is a particular area or position group where he would really like to see a strong finish on Sunday: “Well, yeah, every group. I mean that’s – I mean look, there’s a number of areas. I’d love to see – I mean there’s a lot of areas. I’d probably start with the O-line. Just want to see – and just a tick more, just a little bit better. See if we can polish some things up, work together, work our combinations – just a little bit. But I can say that for every position too, I really can. Just like I can say that for us as coaches. I mean we’ve got to collectively all get better.”
On how pleased he has been with Lions OL Tate Ratledge’s growth and how good he feels about him going forward with his career: “There’s been growth, and that’s really what you want out of your rookies. You want to feel like that there has been growth taking place. And being between (Lions OL) Graham (Glasgow) for most of the year – and (Lions T Penei) Sewell has helped. But there’s a ton of growth left and he’s going to have to take another step next year – preferably this next game coming up, take another baby step here. But he’s going to need to take another step, which he’s got that and he’s capable of.”
On what he thinks Lions OL Tate Ratledge’s ultimate position is: “That’s a good question. I know that we were – we felt like he could be a center and that’s still not off the table. We watched him at guard, he played right guard in college. He’s a good athlete, he’s a big man, he can move. So, we’ll find out. I mean we’ll find out.”
On if giving Lions OL Tate Ratledge a look at center could be in the mix for this week depending on Lions OL Graham Glasgow’s injury status: “I don’t see that. Yeah, I don’t see that.”
