Man, Detroit fans are NOT holding back right now, and honestly, can you blame ’em? Just days before they crushed the Arizona Cardinals, a shocking 12 percent of Lions fans believed things were actually headed in the right direction. Twelve percent! That number hits different when you remember where this team was just a couple of years ago.
From “King Campbell” to Crickets: What a Turnaround
Talk about a wild ride! It feels like only yesterday everyone was riding high on Dan Campbell. Back in October 2024, the Lions were 3-1 at their bye week, fresh off a deep NFC Championship run that had everyone buzzing. They were even on their way to a record-breaking 15-win season, and Campbell’s approval rating was sitting pretty at a perfect 100 percent. One hundred percent! You couldn’t find a single fan who wasn’t all-in. But oh, how quickly things change in the NFL, huh?
The Blame Game: Where Does Campbell Stand?
Fast forward to October 2026, and the picture is totally different. They missed the playoffs last year with a 9-8 record, and this season’s kicked off with a pretty ‘meh’ 3-2 start. Sure, they just waxed the Cardinals on Sunday, October 11, which helps the vibes, but that initial feeling going into the game, and even after the first quarter, was apparently pretty rough according to that 12 percent stat. Campbell’s overall record through five plus years is 51-38-1 in the regular season and 2-2 in the playoffs. That’s not terrible on paper, but when you look closer, the struggles seem to be screaming from the defensive side of the ball. And guess what? Campbell’s the one who keeps showing belief and support in defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Ultimately, it falls on the head coach to make sure the team is playing its best, even if his own expertise leans offense.
So, yeah, Detroit fans have a lot to chew on. This isn’t the same feel-good story everyone was celebrating not too long ago. The team’s performance, especially on defense, is clearly impacting how the fanbase views their leader. It’s gonna be wild to see how that approval poll shifts after the Cardinals win, and what kind of conversations start popping up about the direction of this team. They’re even gonna dig into GM Brad Holmes later this week, so you know the fans are gonna have plenty to say.
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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