Dan Campbell suggests Lions defense will make everyone forget about Micah Parsons

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been the defense's biggest fan since taking over back in 2021. He admires grit, attitude, and intelligence on and off the field as those are some of the attributes he's likely to recognize as good ones in himself. It's why he's had nothing but praise to offer for his 2025 defense, set to be anchored yet again by Aidan Hutchinson at the EDGE.

"He's put in a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of hard work to get back to where he's at right now. When you have the game taken away from you for whatever reasons, it just gives you a little extra motivation to come back. I'm excited to watch him. He's ready to go," said Campbell of his star defender and pass rusher.

While they don't face off directly, it's huge that Hutchinson will be opposite the newly-acquired and extended pass rusher Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Defense wins championships, and now both NFC North squads have pass rushers that can make that adage a reality.

Campbell has major praise for Lions' defensive line

In addition to Hutchinson, Campbell told reporters on Tuesday ahead of Week 1 against the Packers that defensive tackle DJ Reader had a "quiet, kick-ass camp," and that Marcus Davenport has nothing left to prove to Campbell in regards to his ability to play alongside Hutchinson as another pass rush threat.

"He's another guy that's had a really good camp for us. He's done exactly what we've asked him to do. He's got some versatilty, he can play all of the packages that we have. There's nothing more that he needs to show me. I know he can do it all. He's doing everything he can to take care of his body. He went through a rigorous offseason to try and help with all of that, so credit to him for putting the work in. He's in a good place right now. Him opposite of Hutch is good right now."

While the Lions might get some pushback from fans who might've wanted to see a big swing trade for someone like Parsons to play next to Hutchinson, it's obvious that the team feels like they've got enough from Hutchinson, Davenport, and the rest of the defensive line to warrant standing firm in not trading away major draft capital or future cap space for Parsons' services.

Additionally, health has been the biggest thing holding this Lions defense back the last few years, with last season's injuries stacking up higher than a few dozen pancakes. If they can retain their health - specifically, if Hutchinson can play for a full year without regressing or experiencing another major injury - then they can compete with the defensive prowess now with Green Bay.