By Sunday 
Welcome back, football. We missed you—and apparently, so did the Detroit Lions’ ball security.
The Lions kicked off their preseason with a much-anticipated Hall of Fame Game clash against the Los Angeles Chargers. While fans were just happy to hear helmets clashing again, Detroit’s performance gave them more stress than satisfaction. The final score? A lopsided 34-7 loss that had “preseason rust” written all over it. But rust wasn’t the only issue.
An Opening Kickoff to Forget
The Lions’ night started off in the worst possible way: a fumble on the opening kickoff. And unfortunately for head coach Dan Campbell, it didn’t end there. By the time the final whistle blew, Detroit had coughed up the football five times—three interceptions and two lost fumbles.
It wasn’t just sloppy. It was unacceptable. And Campbell made that painfully clear after the game.
“You’re wearing Lions gear, you’ve got to take care of the ball, or it’s going to be hard to keep you around,” he told reporters in classic no-nonsense Dan Campbell fashion.
A New Standard in Detroit
The Lions aren’t in rebuild mode anymore. This is a team with back-to-back NFC North titles under its belt, and they’re setting their sights higher in 2025. So when the head coach says ball security is non-negotiable, it’s not just lip service—it’s culture-setting.
Dan Campbell knows what’s at stake. Sloppy preseason habits can easily bleed into meaningful games. And with Super Bowl expectations buzzing around Detroit, there’s no room for passengers—or turnovers.
Lessons From a Loss
It’s easy to dismiss a preseason game as “just practice,” especially with starters watching from the sidelines. But Campbell made it crystal clear: mental sharpness, discipline, and responsibility start now. Not in Week 1. Not after a wake-up call. Now.
There’s no panic in the locker room yet. But there is a message, and it’s loud and clear: Protect the football—or prepare to sit.