Despite coaching the Detroit Lions to heights the franchise hadn’t reached in more than 30 years — and some they had never experienced — head coach Dan Campbell once again left the NFL Honors show empty-handed
Campbell, a finalist for this season’s Coach of the Year award, came up short up, losing out to Minnesota Vikings head coach, Kevin O’Connell. Campbell placed second in voting.
Also in the running were Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and Kansas Chiefs head coach Andy Reid — who will be coaching in Super Bowl 59 on Sunday.
This year also marked the second straight year Campbell was a finalist but didn’t take home the award.
While all the finalists led their teams to impressive seasons — some even major turnarounds — there’s a real argument that Campbell was snubbed.
For starters, losing out to O’Connell, specifically can be considered a head scratcher, as two of the Vikings’ three losses this season were to the Detroit Lions, who went unblemished in the NFC North.
The also Lions finished the regular season with a franchise-best 15-2 record while also becoming the NFL’s fourth-highest-scoring offense of all time, setting numerous franchise and single-season marks along the way.
Defensively, the Lions were hit hard by injuries, with as many as 16 players landing on injured reserve.
Notable losses included defensive end Aidan Hutchinson; linebackers Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez and Jalen Reeves-Maybin; defensive lineman Alim McNeill; and cornerback Carlton Davis III.
Yet, despite those setbacks, the defense still managed to make key plays when it mattered — including producing the league’s interception leader in Kerby Joseph.
Factoring everything in, Campbell leading Detroit to the NFC’s top seed and a second straight division title makes his case for Coach of the Year as strong as anyone’s.
At least one would think.
However, it was O’Connell, who guided the Vikings to a 14-3 record, that took home the award. He navigated Minnesota through significant early challenges, including losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy before the season and starting offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw to an ACL and MCL injury after just seven games.
O’Connell also played a key role in the resurgence of quarterback Sam Darnold, who finished fifth in both passing yards (4,319) and passing touchdowns (35).
