Dan Campbell worried about Lions 'hype train'

Detroit Lions HC Dan Campbell Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lions HC Dan Campbell worried about 'hype train'

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Jul 23, 2023 5:40 PM ET

Many have already crowned the Detroit Lions as the favorite to win the NFC North ahead of the 2023 campaign and this worries head coach Dan Campbell.

Speaking with reporters on the first day of training camp this week, Campbell said he's concerned about the "hype train" behind the Lions, who are searching for their first division title since 1993.

"I mean, as with most coaches, this thing is just taking off and it's out of control right now and that's fine, as long as we stay focused on the job at hand the work," Campbell said. "I just keep going back to that. We've got to put the work in and earn it."

Dan Campbell said the hype train has “taken off and gotten out of control.”

He keeps saying the Lions have to put in the work. pic.twitter.com/cibbwZdAk9
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 23, 2023

In 2022, the Lions posted their first winning season in five years, finishing 9-8. While they came up just short of a playoff berth, the building blocks for a winner were there.

And, after Detroit made several offseason additions — including Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and David Montgomery — those in NFL circles believe the Lions are on the doorstep of a breakout 2023. However, Campbell is right to be cautious.

Plenty of teams have read their own press clippings in the past before failing miserably to meet expectations. The infamous 2011 Philadelphia Eagles "Dream Team" comes to mind, along with recent examples like the 2020 Dallas Cowboys and 2021 Cleveland Browns. Even the Lions fell victim after going undefeated in the 2008 preseason, only to finish 0-16.

Will the 2023 Lions join the list of over-hyped teams who fell flat on their collective faces? We'll all have to wait and see.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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