Dan Campbell says Lions GM Brad Holmes ‘grinding’ to find EDGE players

After a review of the film from the Detroit Lions’ latest game against the Minnesota Vikings, coach Dan Campbell came to an important conclusion about his defense.

“An area where we can be better is there were some things where our coverage really had to (cover)—we asked them to do a lot, and they had to hold on a little bit,” Campbell said in his Monday presser. “So, there was a number of things where we fabricated some rush, we got there a few times. To answer your question, we need just a little bit more (pressure). There was a couple of (plays) that did get long, a couple of these plays that you like to believe that we can get somebody there just a little bit sooner.”

Indeed, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was able to hold the ball for a very long time, putting additional pressure on the Lions secondary against a good group of Minnesota receivers. Per Fantasy Points, Darnold averaged 3.4 seconds from snap to throw, which was the longest of any quarterback against the Lions defense this season.

In the press conference, Campbell noted that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn did a great job scheming up pressure, giving them a fighting chance without Aidan Hutchinson.

But in a one-on-one interview with Dan Miller later that day, Campbell noted that both the coaching staff and general manager Brad Holmes still very much exploring options to bolster the personnel on the defensive line, which includes a possible trade.

“We need a little bit (more pressure),” Campbell said. “Whether that’s somebody in house, we do things a little different, or it is a trade. Look, Brad’s still looking at everything right now. It’s not like we turned our back on that (and) nobody’s looking or anything. So, we’ll find it, but until that time we’re gonna find whatever we need to here. If we need to try out a couple of guys—we still have Isaiah Thomas, we’ve got (Mitchell) Agude, we’ve got Al-(Quadin) Muhammad that we brought in. So we may give those guys a go. We’re open to looking for anything we can.”

The NFL trade deadline is just two weeks away (Tuesday, November 5), and it’s unclear who, if anyone, the Lions may be targeting. They reportedly contacted the Jets about Haason Reddick, but the New York defender settled his contract dispute with the Jets and is returning to the team this week. We’ve also heard Za’Darius Smith talk openly about how he’d like to join the Lions, but there have been no reports on whether that feeling is mutual.

The Lions have consistently said since Hutchinson’s injury that they’ll be looking, but they won’t rush a decision or act desperately.

“Everything’s got to be right,” Campbell said last week. “And honestly, where we’re at now, we’re not in a hurry. I mean, I believe in the guys that are here. I believe in that D-line. Doesn’t mean we’re not looking, we’re not evaluating. Brad is, that’s his job and he’s good at it and we’ll take it as it comes. But our eyes are open, and we want to make sure that we have what we need here.”

UPDATE: Campbell expanded this topic during his weekly appearance on the Costa & Jansen with Heather show. Here are some notable quotes from his Tuesday morning radio spot:

“Brad’s been grinding on this, ever since last week. He’s been going and looking at really everything that could potentially be available. And so much of it is the: making the calls. First of all, who do you like on tape? Who is worth something? And it’s not just because somebody says they’re a good player. You’ve got to put your own eyes on it and do the homework. And then, where are they at? How much football do they have left? What salary are we taking on? How does that affect us next year signing our own guys? How much value are you going to have to give up? So all of that stuff plays into it, but believe us, we’re looking. Brad’s on it, and we’ll find somebody that fits us and brings something. Like I said, a complementary piece that helps that d-line.”

Campbell was then about how involved he is in the process of acquiring a new player.

“When (conversations) get serious, he (Holmes) is like, ‘Check this out,’ and I do. Because he wants to know that I agree with it. If there’s somebody that he likes, and it’s worth it, then that’s when I know it’s serious, and I check it out, and, man, if I like it, we’re all good. If it’s something that I don’t like, he’s not going to force it on me. That’s not how we work. That’s how we’ve been good now going on four years. But I also know if it’s something like that, I don’t know that he’s ever been wrong.”

So has Holmes approached him about any players yet?

“Yeah, he’s asked me to check something out. A couple things.”