Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Is Lions HC Dan Campbell really on the hot seat?

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 10/19/22

Despite boasting the No. 2 overall offense and No. 3 scoring offense in the NFL, the Detroit Lions parlayed a promising 1-1 start into a three-game losing streak and left fans feeling like they’d been duped.

Following back-to-back one-score losses and a 29-0 blowout of a rookie fourth-round quarterback, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine believes the seat is heating up under Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

Dan Campbell describes the reality of the Lions record and the fact they only have one win. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/FYWq4LpzPT
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) October 17, 2022

“Campbell spent the preseason endearing himself to a national audience on 'Hard Knocks',” Ballentine said. “The coach's gift for rousing speeches and hard-nosed approach to football is easy to like, and it led to some high-profile stories and hype surrounding the coach. Unfortunately for the Detroit Lions, none of it has led to positive on-field results.

“…There's still hope for Campbell, and it's tough to fire a coach in his second season, but they need to start showing improvement quickly.”

Some bye week perspective on second-year coaches.

Nick Sirianni took over 4-win Eagles. Now: 5-0.
Robert Saleh took over 2-win Jets. Now: 4-2.
Arthur Smith took over 4-win Falcons. Now: 3-3.

Dan Campbell took over the 5-win Lions. Now: 1-4. It doesn't have to take forever.
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) October 16, 2022

Of the seven head coaches hired in 2021, Campbell is tied for the second-fewest wins (four) and has the second-lowest win percentage (.205) among them. Two of those coaches — David Culley and Urban Meyer — have already been fired.

While it seems unlikely that Campbell will be fired with the offense performing as well as it has, the second-year head coach could be forced to make some personnel changes in the offseason — particularly on defense — if he wants to stay employed.

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