The Detroit Lions had a breakthrough season in 2023, but they are looking to take the next step in 2024. Coach Dan Campbell knows what that step is, and he used a great analogy to convey it.
On Thursday, Campbell emphasized that he wants the team to be more adaptable in certain situations this year. That means making little adjustments during plays based on packages and opponents instead of simply sticking strictly to the design.
“Those are the little things where we can really grow offensively and defensively,” Campbell said, via Christian Booher of All Lions. “Like the awareness of who’s in, what’s the situation. We know what it says on paper, but we can’t do the Ron Burgundy. We can’t just continue to read off the teleprompter. And, that’s the next step, that is the next evolution, because that’s what San Francisco did to us, quite frankly. They played at a different level.”
Campbell is referencing the famous “Anchorman” scene in which Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy is depicted as reading whatever is on the teleprompter, even if it’s incorrect or offensive. In his mind, if the Lions can tweak a play to make it more effective, they should do that.
The Lions fell short in the NFC Championship despite opening up a big first half lead over the San Francisco 49ers. The adjustments the 49ers made to come back are the sorts of things Campbell wants to emphasize for 2024, because he has one goal on his mind for the upcoming season.
