By Moses Joshua 
With stars all over the roster, one second-year linebacker is quietly emerging as Detroit’s defensive cornerstone
A New Face of the Future?
The Detroit Lions have built a winning culture under GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell by sticking to a clear principle: build through the draft, and bet on your guys. That approach has turned a once-struggling franchise into a legitimate contender, with blue-chip names like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, and Aidan Hutchinson forming the recognizable core.
But according to Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton, one of Detroit’s most critical long-term building blocks isn’t one of the obvious faces of the franchise. It’s linebacker Jack Campbell, the second-year defender who’s slowly, steadily becoming indispensable to the Lions’ defense — and maybe even its future leadership.
Campbell Over Stars? Why the Pick Isn’t as Far-Fetched as It Seems
At first glance, naming Campbell over Detroit’s headline-makers feels bold — maybe even contrarian. But Moton’s logic cuts deeper than the box score.
“If the Lions see Campbell as their long-term starter at linebacker, it could impact how they handle a potential contract dispute with [Alex] Anzalone,” Moton noted, pointing to signs of tension between the team and their veteran linebacker. Anzalone, who has skipped OTAs and made vague posts on Instagram hinting at dissatisfaction, is entering the final year of his deal. With no new contract in place, the front office may be preparing for a changing of the guard.
That change begins with Jack Campbell.
The Numbers Back the Narrative
Campbell led the team with 131 tackles in 2024, but what truly set him apart was his growth in coverage — often the Achilles heel for young linebackers. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted a 74.2 coverage grade, ranking ninth among all off-ball linebackers in the NFL. That’s not just promising — that’s elite upside for a second-year player.
What’s more, when Anzalone missed time last season, it was Campbell who took over the “green dot” helmet, assuming the role of on-field defensive play caller. That kind of responsibility isn’t handed out lightly. It’s a clear indication that Detroit’s coaching staff already sees him as the quarterback of the defense.
Campbell, for his part, understands what’s ahead. “I need to be consistent with the mundane things,” he said earlier this offseason — a mindset that echoes the Lions’ blue-collar identity.
Reading Between the Lines
While the Lions have no shortage of future stars — Gibbs, LaPorta, Branch, and Williams are all high-upside contributors — Campbell’s emergence represents something more structural. He’s the guy who lets the rest of the defense function. If Detroit is serious about transitioning to a younger, faster, more dynamic linebacker unit, Campbell will be the fulcrum.
The writing may already be on the wall with Anzalone, and how the front office handles his situation will say plenty about their confidence in Campbell. If the Lions are, in fact, done falling short and ready to take the final step toward sustained greatness, it’ll be with players like Jack Campbell leading the way — not just in stats, but in presence.
Conclusion: A Quiet Star in the Making
Jack Campbell may not be the most famous name in Detroit’s locker room, but he may be one of the most essential moving forward. If the Lions do reach the summit in the coming years, don’t be surprised if Campbell is wearing the captain’s patch — and the headset — when it happens.
He’s not just a piece. He’s a pillar. And as Moton’s analysis shows, it’s time more people recognized it.