The Lions will have a new offensive coordinator next season. Their play-caller might be the one they have now: Dan Campbell.
Campbell took over play-calling duties from incumbent offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn coming out of Detroit's Week 9 bye and he isn't ruling out keeping the headset in 2022.
Asked Wednesday about the offensive play-caller role for next season, Campbell said he's yet to make any plans before adding, "I know that I’m getting a lot more comfortable and I feel like this is something that I do believe I can do and be good at.
"But I’m not ready to commit to what I’m doing next year yet," he said. "I’ve got to sit down and process all of this at the right time.”
With Campbell calling plays, the Lions' offense has gotten better. (It couldn't possibly get worse.) Detroit scored at least 20 points once in eight games with Lynn on the headset. It's done so three times in eight games under Campbell.
The most obvious gains have come on the ground, where the Lions have improved from 4.1 yards per carry to 4.8. But Jared Goff has benefited as well. He has nine touchdowns, two picks and a passer rating of 99.1 in five games under Campbell compared to eight touchdowns, six picks and a rating of 85.3
in eight games under Lynn.
Lynn will almost certainly be replaced this offseason. He's been a glorified run-game coordinator since his demotion. Meanwhile, tight ends coach Ben Johnson has assumed a bigger role in game-planning, particularly in the passing game. If Campbell decides to continue calling plays, Johnson might be the most logical hire as offensive coordinator. It will be hard to attract an experienced outside candidate without offering full control of the offense.
Related
Several NFL head coaches call offensive plays, including one of Campbell's mentors in Sean Payton. Campbell watched Payton lead a top-five scoring offense for five straight years in New Orleans. Andy Reid calls plays for the Chiefs, Sean McVay for the Rams, Matt LaFleur for the Packers, three of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Campbell knows it can work.
He admitted Wednesday that taking over the headset "was a lot" initially, that "it took a couple of weeks to be able to start breathing again." He said he had to figure out how to devote more time to the offense without neglecting the rest of the team. He said "it took a minute to try to get it all in."
“So yeah, it’s been a process," Campbell said. "But I can tell you this, I’m miles ahead of where I was three or four weeks ago. I feel that way. I’m so much more comfortable now, I am. I’m starting to figure it out. It doesn’t mean I’m perfect by any means, but I do feel a lot more comfortable.”
So, Campbell as play-caller in 2022? Don't rule it out.