The Detroit Lions just dropped a bomb on the NFC North, signing linebacker Jack Campbell to a monster 4-year extension worth $81 million in new money, including an $8.612 million signing bonus. That kind of cash for a linebacker signals a major commitment, and it immediately throws a wrench into how the rest of the division looks at its defensive talent. This isn’t just pocket change; it’s a statement, and the PODcast crew was all over it, ranking the division’s best linebacker room, secondary, and coaching staff.
NFC North LB Room: Who’s the Real Deal?
Campbell’s new deal is massive, making him the undisputed top dog in the NFC North at linebacker, individually speaking. But here’s the kicker: the PODcast crew immediately hit on the big questions looming behind him for Detroit. Is it even fair to rank the Lions No. 1 at linebacker when there are so many unknowns past Campbell? That’s a legitimate debate right there. Then you look at Green Bay, rolling with their trio of Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, and Isaiah McDuffie. Is that a better, more consistent overall unit than a Campbell-led Lions group that’s got some holes to fill? It’s absolutely something to chew on. And don’t forget Devin Bush in Chicago. That’s another big question mark that the Bears are hoping works out. So many moving parts across the board in these linebacker corps, it’s wild.
Secondary Struggles and Sideline Shakes
Moving to the secondary, the Lions are in a weird spot. They’ve done a “relatively good job” of building out depth with experienced options, but the PODcast crew still sees “so many questions at both cornerback and safety.” It feels like the whole division is kinda struggling in the defensive backfield, honestly. There aren’t a ton of standouts, especially at cornerback. So, could Detroit’s depth, even with all those question marks, actually be enough to top the rankings for the division’s secondary? It’s a wild thought, but if the talent isn’t there elsewhere, it could happen.
And then there’s the coaching staff rankings, which always gets people fired up. How much credit do we give Ben Johnson in Chicago after just one highly successful season? Is that a rush to judgment? And what about Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota, has that shine from his early days completely worn off? The PODcast crew also had a long conversation about their confidence levels in Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Those guys are definitely under the microscope, and their performance will tell a huge story this season.
The PODcast even kicked off with a discussion about whether Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown are fairly ranked in ESPN’s latest positional rankings. That’s the kind of debate that gets fans everywhere talking. As we head into the thick of the regular season, these early divisional rankings and big contracts set the stage. The on-field action is what truly matters, though. We’ll be watching closely to see if Campbell lives up to that massive deal and if these divisional question marks turn into full-blown problems for everyone else.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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