Carlton Davis, a free-agent cornerback, recently expressed his admiration for Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. During an appearance on the Slightly Decent podcast, the 28-year-old cornerback spoke highly of Campbell, praising his leadership style and relatability. Davis highlighted Campbell’s authenticity and his unique approach to accountability, explaining how Campbell took full responsibility for the team’s losses, something Davis had never seen from a coach in his two decades of playing football.
Davis recalled a memorable moment when Campbell addressed the team in the locker room, emotionally saying, “Blame your coach. You can blame me,” showing a level of vulnerability that left a lasting impression on the cornerback. This willingness to take responsibility, according to Davis, sets Campbell apart from other coaches in the NFL.
Campbell’s approach extends beyond accountability, as he also makes a point to praise his players when they perform well. Davis shared how Campbell regularly took the time to compliment him for his on-field efforts, even highlighting his physicality beyond just his coverage skills. This level of praise in front of the entire team was a first for Davis, who expressed appreciation for how Campbell makes players feel valued.
Davis also noted that Campbell recognizes and acknowledges the often overlooked efforts of players, like Amon-Ra St. Brown’s blocking, which might not be noticed by others. Campbell’s recognition of these “under-the-radar” actions shows how much he pays attention to every detail of the game. According to Davis, not many coaches go out of their way to highlight such contributions in front of the whole team.
Given his strong admiration for Campbell, Davis hinted that there’s a chance he could return to the Lions during free agency. “He’s my favorite head coach. I ain’t gonna lie, that I done played for,” Davis said, emphasizing how much he values Campbell as a leader, even adding that he would give his all for him, even if it meant risking injury.
