The Detroit Lions are in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1991 season. Head coach Dan Campbell is already getting his players in the mood for the Super Bowl

Dan Campbell has kept his word. Three years to the day yesterday, Sunday, the 47-year-old was introduced as the new head coach of the Detroit Lions.

At the time, he announced that he wanted to become one of the NFL’s top teams within three years. He accomplished this with a 31-23 win in the Divisional Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

“I envisioned us having a chance to compete with the big boys,” he said now, looking back. “And that’s where we are now. All you have to do is get in. It’s about putting yourself in the best position you can be in. “

Under Campbell, the Lions have steadily improved. After a disappointing debut season with three wins, they won nine and twelve games in the following seasons and have now even made it to the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday.

“Dan is the greatest leader “

“Dan is the greatest leader I’ve ever seen,” said quarterback Jared Goff, who previously worked with Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams.

“He brought the right culture and belief in each other in a big way. Of course, you think back to the dark times at the beginning of 2021 when a lot of people wanted him to leave. A lot of people in this room were calling for his head. It feels pretty good to be sitting up here now and be in the NFC Championship Game. It feels really, really good.”

Immediately after the win against the Buccaneers, the head coach gave an emotional speech. “This started a long time ago, this is what you’re made for,” he said to the players, barely able to hold back the tears.

Do you understand what we’re capable of?AllGrit pic.twitter.com/ZvFbs7Crwi

– Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 22, 2024

“You’re made for this, man. And look at what you’ve done. You guys went out there and took out another hot team. That was the next hot team you took out. Do you know how hard it is to win in this league in the playoffs? Do you understand what you’re doing right now, what you’re capable of? Those were the first two (wins) now, all right, that was two. We’ve got two more to go.”

If Campbell keeps his word again, the Lions would reach or win the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.