In his final year of playing in the NFL, Dan Campbell found himself lining up alongside the legendary Drew Brees in New Orleans. After hanging up his cleats, Campbell transitioned to the coaching staff for the Saints, spending five years working closely with the future Hall of Famer. Fast forward to the present day, and Campbell now holds the coveted position of head coach for the Detroit Lions, with a quarterback who he believes has shades of Brees in him.
During an interview with Rich Eisen, Campbell made a bold comparison, stating that Lions quarterback Jared Goff is channeling the same energy and skill that Brees displayed during his prime in New Orleans. Reflecting on his time with Brees, Campbell emphasized the rare qualities that the veteran quarterback possessed, from his professionalism to his relentless work ethic.
“I was fortunate to be around Drew Brees as a player and as a coach for a combination of six years. When you’re around that type of player, it’s rare. To see the professionalism, the work that goes into it, the process, the competitiveness…there’s things about Goff that remind me of him. He’s got a workman’s attitude, he’s blue collar in that way, a quiet confidence, he doesn’t get frazzled, he’s tough, he’s seeing it. Because of that, we’ve put a lot on him,” Campbell explained.
The Lions head coach expressed his confidence in Goff’s recent performances, highlighting the quarterback’s dedication and precision on the field. “Our guy is playing at a high level. I’m really not surprised, just because I know what he’s put into it, and he’s an accurate passer. He’s a dude, man,” Campbell praised.
With Goff stepping up his game, Campbell is optimistic about the future and hopes that the young quarterback can emulate Brees’ impact on the Saints by leading the Lions to their first-ever Lombardi Trophy. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Goff as he continues to prove himself and carve out his own legacy in Detroit.
