Dan Campbell Opens Up on Lions Inactivity at NFL Trade Deadline

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The Detroit Lions didn’t make any final moves before the NFL trade deadline passed at 4 pm ET Tuesday. That was largely expected. But that doesn’t mean the Lions didn’t have opportunities to make trades. On Wednesday, head coach Dan Campbell offered reporters a slight look behind the curtain on the team’s inactivity at the deadline. “There were things that popped up. After I talked to you guys, there were some things here and there,” Campbell said. “There was nothing that I would say was enough to be noteworthy. It was certainly more intriguing, but it wasn’t good enough. “So, you know, all good, we’re ready to roll.” Instead of a trade, the Lions made two more minor moves right after Tuesday’s deadline. Detroit released tight end Kenny Yeboah and offensive lineman Justin Herron. Both of those players were previously on the team’s injured reserve since August 10. Dan Campbell Reacts to Lions Inactivity Before NFL Trade Deadline Campbell didn’t offer any specifics on what deals the Lions could have done that he didn’t consider “good enough.” But the overall message Campbell delivered to reporters Wednesday was that he has more confidence in the players already on Detroit’s roster than anyone the organization could have acquired in the trade market. “You know your own guys. You’ve been around them. You’ve seen them. You know the greatness behind them, and you know the warts too,” said Campbell. “As long as they’re continuing to grow and get better and get better, our trust goes up in those guys. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be perfect. But yet, it gives you faith in those guys. Until further notice, they’re going to have to prove us wrong.” Campbell really stressed how valuable it is to know a player. The head coach said he recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of everyone on his roster because he’s been around them in practice and on game days. The Lions would be starting from scratch with any player they acquired on November 4. That approach to the NFL trade deadline was what a lot of coaches and general managers took for years. It wasn’t until more recently the NFL trade deadline became something closer to other sports, where there’s a flurry of activity. That’s not to say Campbell and the Lions are against the league’s more modern approach to the deadline. Campbell just strongly suggested Wednesday there wasn’t someone available worth acquiring this year.