Dan Campbell Gives Props to the USFL and XFL Spring Football Leagues

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Both the USFL and XFL leagues are back, and don’t count them out. Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell has a lot of respect for those leagues. During a recent press conference (via our friend Jeremy Reisman at Pride of Detroit), Campbell discussed how the USFL and XFL are a major help to the NFL.

Dan Campbell Gives Props to the USFL and XFL

“I think it’s the development to be able to play and then find this talent and bring them in and now let’s see if they can play at this level against this competition,” Campbell said. “I think it’s huge. It’s big. Because ultimately, you can try to develop, you can do all these things, but if you can’t play the game and get reps after reps of real-time game, it’s hard to accelerate it. It’s hard. You only have three preseason games.”

Campbell also used defensive lineman La’Roi Glover and guard Marco Rivera as examples of players who spent time with NFL Europe before they really blossomed. “They’re promising, but man, they need to play,” Campbell said. “Send them over to Europe for the spring, they come back and next thing you know, La’Roi Glover is All-Decade Team. He’s unbelievable. Marco Rivera, All-Pro guard for Green Bay for years.” Campbell added that having leagues such as those to help hone talent is “invaluable.”

Don’t forget that I host a podcast about the Detroit Lions called “The Squad with Anne Erickson.” Find my podcast here and reach out to me on socials here with your NFL thoughts.

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Anne Erickson's love for music drew her into radio. She started on the airwaves shortly after graduating from MSU. Anne has a passion for rock and metal, and she also fronts the band Upon Wings. Email Anne at [email protected], follow her on Instagram at @EricksonAnne and tweet at her @AnneErickson! Anne covers the Detroit, Philadelphia and Las Vegas markets and beyond.