At the NFL Combine, a rare event where many head coaches and general managers gather, an interesting question surfaced among them: which head coach would be able to perform the most bench press reps? For context, NFL draft prospects must bench press 225 pounds as many times as possible during the combine.
Dan Campbell, the head coach of the Detroit Lions, is known for his physical presence, having played tight end in the NFL for 11 seasons. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 265 pounds, Campbell is a formidable figure, and it’s no surprise that many of his peers pointed to him as the favorite for this challenge.
Other names came up during the discussion as well. New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, a former player, was mentioned, as was DeMeco Ryans, the Houston Texans’ head coach and another ex-player. Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald even said he’d back himself in such a contest, while Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales suggested Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, noting his compact build. Raheem Morris, head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, endorsed McVay as well, citing his physique as an asset.
However, when it came to choosing the strongest head coach, Denver Broncos’ Sean Payton had a bit of fun with Campbell’s reputation. Having known Campbell since his early years in the NFL, Payton joked about the potential injury risk for Campbell, and instead selected Ryans, still emphasizing his own history with both coaches. Despite the playful jabs, it’s clear Campbell would be more than willing to put his strength to the test and prove himself as the strongest head coach in the league.
