Dan Campbell fires back at NFL blaming Lions over eligibility fiasco

Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches the third quarter action against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers won 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is not happy with the NFL’s reported stance on his team’s recent eligibility controversy.

The Lions had their go-ahead 2-point conversion wiped away in the final minute of their 20-19 loss Saturday to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The officials penalized Detroit for reporting the wrong offensive lineman — Dan Skipper instead of Taylor Decker — as an eligible receiver on the play (video here).

A report from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio stated Monday that the NFL pinned the blame on the Lions’ attempt “to engage in deception and gamesmanship” which simply “backfired” on them.

Campbell addressed the report in a Tuesday radio appearance on 97.1 The Ticket.

“Defenses disguise coverage, isn’t that deception?” said Campbell, via 97.1 The Ticket’s Will Burchfield. “So what the hell?”

Despite lingering frustration about the eligibility issues, Campbell sounded ready to move on during his Monday press conference. The Lions coach even went so far as to call the entire ordeal a “blessing” in disguise.