Dan Campbell took over as Lions’ play-caller because ‘I know what I want to do’

LANDOVER, Md. — Dan Campbell confirmed he took over calling plays again for the Detroit Lions, saying he made the decision after last week’s loss.

The Lions responded in a big way, scoring on all eight possessions before kneeling out the game. They throttled the Washington Commanders, 44-22, with the offense looking explosive, creative and balanced, while unlocking Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs to explosive performances.

Campbell said he and offensive coordinator John Morton spoke the day after the team’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. When it came to making the call, Campbell felt the need to mix things up and to see if a different person calling the plays could get the team’s high-powered offense into a better rhythm.

“It was just — let’s try something a little different, right?” Campbell said after the win. “I know what I want to do. I know how I want to do it. Now, that being said, this is a collaborative effort. I was taking input from John Morton that whole time, and the other coaches … this is all-encompassing, and we all worked together.

“I know you’re probably going to want to ask questions about, ‘Oh, what about this’ or ‘I heard this.’ It’s not that. We made a change. It was good for today.”

Campbell added he had an honest conversation with Morton about the switch. They’re all good, and the Lions said he told Morton earlier this week, “I need you,” while crediting his work in the passing game.

Campbell called Morton “all team,” adding that “of course it (the switch) doesn’t feel too good.” But Morton understands the situation and has been an absolute pro about the change this past week.

Detroit’s offense wasn’t just better, though. It was explosive and efficient. The running game was back in control of the game while Jared Goff spread the ball around more and converted on key third downs.

Sunday’s blowout win over the Commanders marked just the fifth time in team history that the Lions had more than 500 yards, 40-plus points and five touchdowns on the road.

They ran for 226 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time they hit 200 rushing yards since Week 3. Williams had five catches alone in the third quarter, which is more than he had in seven of 10 games to open this season.

Goff didn’t get sacked while completing 25-of-33 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. They converted on their first four third-down attempts of the game while growing a commanding lead.

It was all better after making the switch. And it’s impossible to ignore for an offense that was back to looking like themselves, and then some.

Goff said he thought Campbell did a great job for someone who hadn’t called plays since 2021. The Lions quarterback said it was a clean operation, with the coach getting the right personnel in and changing tempos.

“I’ve been saying it for years. He’s not just this rah-rah guy,” Goff said. “He’s extremely smart and has a very good feel for people and players and obviously our team.

“Honestly, everything remained the same. And I think you’ve got to give Johnny a ton of credit for handling it the way he handled it. As a veteran coach and a guy who has shown to have no ego over and over, like, to have that happen and for him to not miss a beat in game planning and helping the pass game. The whole thing was really cool and impressive by him, and it all worked really well together this week.”

This isn’t the first time in Campbell’s tenure that he’s taken over play-calling duties in the middle of a season. In his first season as coach, Campbell replaced Anthony Lynn, and the Lions showed real growth and carried that into their rise to this point.

Goff said he doesn’t see any parallels between the two mid-season swaps, though. And to the veteran quarterback’s point, the Lions were 0-8 in 2021 when the decision was made. They’re 6-3 now, and have a couple of years of knowing who they are.

Campbell took a similar route to his quarterback, saying the two situations are hard to compare. He is the head coach, though, and he knows how he wants it to look, adding “it’s hard to crawl into my head” when thinking about his vision for the offense.

“John is vital to me, all right? He gives me critical information that deals with the pass game,” Campbell said. “That’s his baby, man. That’s his bread and butter. It’s one of the things he does well. I think that’s the best I can say, man. He’s good. I’m glad he’s here.

“And I just know I have a good feel of our players, and I know what we’re capable of. I know what they’re capable of. And so I don’t know — that’s the best way to say it.”