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Dan Campbell Calls OTAs a 'Pajama Party' and Downplays Spring Hype

The Lions coach says limited, non-contact workouts are for mental work and movement and that real roster decisions will wait until training camp.

Overview

  • Campbell told reporters he is done hyping early OTAs and warned that "no jobs are won in the spring," stressing that these May practices focus on teaching rather than final evaluations.
  • OTAs are non-contact sessions held without pads that coaches use to install scheme and sharpen movement and mental work rather than judge long-term performance.
  • Reporters noted developing position battles at OTAs, including rookie Blake Miller receiving extensive first-team reps at right tackle over expected veteran options.
  • The offense showed rising depth in the receiver room with Jameson Williams, rookie Isaac TeSlaa, and Dominic Lovett drawing praise, and special-teams work featured rotating punt-return reps involving Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Isiah Pacheco, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
  • Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike returned to practice and Campbell said he "feels good," but the coach again declined to elevate spring reports and set mandatory minicamp and training camp as the next decisive evaluation points.