By Blessing 
During Friday’s media availability at Lions training camp, head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the United Football League (UFL) — and he had some honest thoughts.
The UFL, a spring football league, has been gaining popularity in recent years. Thanks to broadcast deals with ESPN, FOX, and ABC, it’s become a go-to source of football action for fans during the NFL offseason. But to Campbell, it could be more than just offseason entertainment — he sees developmental potential.
Campbell has enjoyed watching the league and believes it could play a valuable role in helping NFL teams evaluate talent and keep players ready. When asked whether the UFL could become a true developmental pipeline, Campbell opened up.
“I don’t make those decisions — nobody cares what I think about that,” he said with a laugh. “NFL Europe was awesome back in the day because that was a chance to really develop guys.”
Campbell explained that the Lions — and other NFL teams — have already brought in players from the UFL, and there’s a big advantage to doing so.
“You get to see them, they’re playing in the spring so they’re in shape,” he said. “So they’re just coming off running around, being football ready. That’s enticing to us, too. If you need a guy, at least you know…you’ve got evidence right there…versus someone who’s been home for three months. They say they’ve been working out but you don’t know. It’s not football working out like these guys are.”
For now, the NFL hasn’t taken official steps in that direction, but Campbell’s perspective adds fuel to a growing conversation about the UFL’s future role in the sport.