Detroit Lions’ Unsung Hero Who Is Making the Opposition Pay

Excited to be back in action this season and grateful for the team’s belief in him, the fifth-year veteran immediately began making his presence felt on the field. In the season opener against Green Bay, he had six tackles and stuffed Josh Jacobs on a running play. Two weeks later, after sacking Lamar Jackson, he hit Derrick Henry for a loss that resulted in a fumble. Although the Baltimore Ravens recovered the ball, the Lions emerged with a decisive 24-20 victory. In the Lions’ 37-24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Barnes came up with a safety.

Barnes’s versatility and his talent at moving around in different formations make him difficult to defend. Recently, Lions’ DC Kelvin Sheppard underscored how important Barnes is to Detroit’s defense, “Yeah, you ask Brad what he means to my defense. I said that’s a player I had to have.  I told him, that’s a player I have to have. That is literally my little brother on and off the field. I know he looks up to me and that means a lot to me, but outside of that, I believe this kid can play four or five spots on the football field and do it at a high level.”

Barnes, Coming Into His Own As A Team Leader

Although Barnes’ family initially had reservations about his signing with the perennially losing Lions, he couldn’t be happier now. In a recent interview on the NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” Barnes declared that the Lions organization is unlike any other team in the NFL. “I’m just so blessed and honored to be part of this organization under Dan Campbell. Man, hopefully I get to spend the rest of my career here, because I don’t think there’s any place like Detroit.”

In addition to his standout plays on the football field, Barnes has become a leader in the locker room and a terrific ambassador for the team. With all the recent accolades coming his way, Barnes is quick to praise his teammates and, in particular, the Lions coaching staff.

When asked about how well the newly signed and practice squad players have stepped up to cover for injured starters, Barnes gave kudos to the coaches for getting the guys who just arrived ready to play the Buccaneers. Describing how the coaches provide players with everything they need to be successful, Barnes made it clear that the expectation is to go out there and perform. “No matter if you got there yesterday, a week ago, three weeks ago,” he explained. It’s the same standard, same expectations for everybody.

Barnes, Determined To Prove the Lions Were Right 

Barnes said Campbell is the “best coach I ever had, like, head-coaching wise.” Describing him as a great man and a great leader, Barnes compared Campbell to Sheppard in terms of his approachability.  “And he’s just like Shep — you can go talk to these guys about anything, any problems you have,” he said. “I mean, it’s a beautiful thing that I can walk up to his office anytime, ‘Hey, what’s going on, DB, what’s on your mind?’ And I can express my feelings to him. It’s amazing.” 

But perhaps most of all, Barnes is deeply grateful for the confidence that Campbell and Holmes demonstrated when he was at his lowest point and undergoing a grueling recovery. “I can’t thank the Lions organization enough for believing in me and allowing me to showcase my talent.” Barnes is dedicating this season to being the player he knows he can be and proving the Lions were right to believe in him.