The Detroit Lions open 2025 training camp with a mission. Dan Campbell declares a 'year of reckoning' as David Montgomery returns healthy. #OnePride
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The pads aren't on yet, but the message in Allen Park is already hitting hard. The Detroit Lions, fresh off a franchise-best 15-2 season, kicked off training camp on Wednesday with a palpable sense of purpose. This isn't just about repeating success; it's about avenging the one loss that mattered most. The theme for 2025 is clear: it's a year of reckoning.
We're out to finish what we started.
Head Coach Dan Campbell didn't mince words in his opening press conference, making it clear that while the process remains, the goal has sharpened. 'We're out to finish what we started,' he declared, a sentiment that echoed through the facility. He emphasized that the team will stick to its physical identity, saying, 'We're going to do things very much like we've done for the last four years because it's led to success for us.' The subtext is clear: the foundation is built, and now it's time to 'close out some of these debts' and claim the championship that felt so close last season.
A huge boost to that mission is the return of a fully healthy David Montgomery. After missing significant time last year, Montgomery is back and looks motivated, ready to reform the thunder-and-lightning duo with Jahmyr Gibbs that powers the league's most formidable rushing attack. Campbell specifically highlighted his importance. On the other side of the ball, safety Kirby Joseph is stepping up as a vocal leader, a crucial development for a defense looking to maintain its edge. In other positive injury news, rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa returned to full team drills after rehabbing a shoulder injury, adding another potential weapon to the arsenal.
This isn't just a veteran-led charge; the 2025 draft class is expected to contribute immediately. All eyes are on first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams from Ohio State, whose massive frame is already drawing praise for its ability to anchor the defensive line. He's joined in the trenches by second-round guard Tate Ratledge, a physical and intelligent mauler from Georgia who is already competing for a starting spot. Early reports from camp suggest both have the mentality and physical tools to thrive in Detroit's system, adding even more toughness to the lines of scrimmage.
With the first days of camp in the books, the Lions are laying the foundation for their 2025 campaign. The intensity is high, the key players are healthy, and the message is unwavering. Fans will get their first look at this squad in action during the Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers on July 31. Until then, all eyes remain on Allen Park as the Lions work to turn their year of reckoning into a year of destiny.
