ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions opened their 2023 NFL training camp Sunday at the team’s training facility in Allen Park, Mich.
Here’s a closer look at a few camp storylines:
Biggest question: Does Jared Goff have the most to prove entering this season?
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has the ultimate faith in Goff. During minicamp, Campbell said he feels that Goff is a “better” quarterback in Detroit than he was with the Los Angeles Rams, who he led to a Super Bowl appearance in 2018. And Goff agrees.
“Yeah, I think so. I think as you get older and get more mature in the League that happens, and I’d certainly say so,” Goff said during minicamp. “I think I said that a handful of times last year that I thought I was playing the best football of my career and plan on continuing to do that.”
But with those expectations comes additional pressure as the Lions are putting faith in him to lead the franchise to its first playoff appearance since 2016. He also has an opportunity to earn a contract extension if he lives up to the hype, securing his future as the long-term quarterback of the organization. This is a big year for the former No. 1 overall pick.
The most compelling position battle: Linebackers
Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard has already let his group know that it is an open competition for the starting linebacker roles during training camp. Detroit surprised some when they drafted Iowa inside linebacker Jack Campbell with the No. 18th overall pick in this year's draft, as they’re looking to improve the defense -- but he will have to earn his spot. The Lions allowed 5.22 yards per carry last year, which was the third-worst in the NFL. Detroit is bringing back Malcolm Rodriguez, Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes who will all be competing for heavy roles.
Most impactful offseason addition: C.J. Gardner Johnson, S
It’s no secret that the Lions’ defense was not good as a whole last season, notably in the secondary. Detroit’s front office was aggressive through free agency to help the pass defense by drafting Alabama’s Brian Branch, signing cornerbacks Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and most notably former Eagles safety Gardner-Johnson -- who is coming off a Super Bowl run in Philadelphia.
Gardner-Johnson’s energy was apparent even during OTAs and minicamp, where he challenged Goff and the offense. He is looking to change the culture in Detroit after coming off a career-best season where his six interceptions were tied for the most in the league.
“Losing the Super Bowl then coming to a team that’s trying to understand winning; I think I can bring the culture over by leading by example and showing them that you can change the city by just winning,” Gardner-Johnson said during minicamp. “So, that’s what I’m here for.”
How can Jameson Williams have a productive camp?
This offseason, Williams was handed a six-game suspension to start the season for violating the NFL's gambling policy. But the Lions plan to keep him engaged in training camp as much as possible to make sure he's ready when he's able to play. Williams spent some of the summer training with Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown in California and building relationships. That will continue in camp.
To have a productive camp, Williams should continue to focus on football. The Lions receivers coach Antwaan Randle El says Williams doesn’t need any additional motivation, but he’ll need to continue to build chemistry with Goff. He can do that by getting reps on routes -- focusing on catching and being more consistent with his hand techniques -- and by working with the staff both before and after practices.
After missing all of last season's training camp while recovering from an ACL injury in his left knee, Williams says he’s excited to get to work and talks to the other receivers every day.
“We’ve got a wide receiver group chat and I talk to St. Brown a lot...,” Williams told ESPN during his inaugural football camp in Detroit. “It's just keeping our head straight and talking about football all the time. I’m ready. Every box, you can check it off, I’m ready for it.”