Detroit Lions Jared Goff excited about the possibilities including a bigger role for Jameson Williams

ALLEN PARK — While the Lions defense features more new personnel, quarterback Jared Goff sees a ton of potential on the offensive side of the ball.

“We know the sky is the limit and we’re excited,” Goff said on Friday, the third day of training camp.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson remains in charge and has added a few wrinkles to the playbook for his ever-evolving offense. It finished the 2023 season ranked third in the NFL with 6,712 yards of offense.

“Back in the spring there was a ton of stuff, even (stuff) we did last year that we can tweak and get better at, but some new stuff certainly in the spring and into training camp. Stuff we’ll play around with and see if it works and probably use a lot of it,’’ Goff said.

The 29-year-old Goff, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract extension in the spring, said hopefully he’s smack-dab in the middle of his prime. 

“I feel good and confident in the guys around me and they feel confident in me, it’s a good place to be,’’ said Goff, who was married this summer.

Along with most everyone, he expects a bigger role this year for wide receiver Jameson Williams who is entering his third season. Williams has shown flashes early in camp but had an excused absence on Friday.

“He’s a guy who can score on one play and you’ve seen it quite a bit in his career. He continues to get better. It’s exciting and his consistency has raised a ton,’’ Goff said. “He knows what time it is for himself and our team and has come to work really well and has done a good job.’’

Detroit Lions Dan Campbell: We will live on hard work, not reputation

Winning the Super Bowl is the expectation as camp starts

ALLEN PARK —  On the Detroit Lions first day of training camp they were riding the line between Super Bowl expectations and not losing their gritty identity.

It’s uncharted waters for this bunch but coach Dan Campbell is not going to let the ship get off course.

Heck, he’s lived through what can happen. In 2000 as a tight end, his New York Giants went 12-4 and lost in the Super Bowl. The next season, with the exact same team, they fell to 7-9.

“That was a lesson learned for me. I will never forget that, ever,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “We are not going to lose our identity, that is the most important thing to me and I won’t sacrifice it for anyone or anything. I told the team that, they know that.’’

After going decades without a postseason win, the Lions lost in the NFC Championship game in January – they were one half away from making it to the Super Bowl

“We don’t live off reputation, we live off of work,’’ Campbell said. “That’s what’s gotten us where we’re at, it’s been a long hard road to get to where we’re at right now. There’s a price to be paid so we’ve got to pay it again. That’s the message that will always be the message.’’

The coach is resolute that this team will not lose its identity as a hard-working, physical and gritty group.

“At this point nobody cares what we did last year. It doesn’t matter. It has no bearing on the season moving forward. If anything, it’s going to make it harder for us,’’ left tackle Taylor Decker said. “We can’t take that for granted. It’s hard to have a great season then refocus and get back to doing things the right way.’’

He’s been through it too, winning a national championship at Ohio State in 2014 and then not living up to expectations in 2015.

Consistency is key, Decker said, for teams and individuals.

That 12-5 record from last season may be old news, but, without question, it provided confidence.

“Each year you get into that meeting room the first day, it’s like: What do you want to accomplish with the team? I can truthfully say this year it’s not even playoffs, it’s not No. 1 seed. It’s the Super Bowl and that’s for everybody in the room,’’ wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said. 

“And it’s the first year I feel like truly as a team we all feel the same way. We all want to win the Super Bowl, we know we can win the Super Bowl, we’ve got the team, we’ve got the coaches, we have everything in this building we need to win a Super Bowl. That’s our goal, that’s our focus and everything we do from here on moving forward to get there.’’

Detroit Lions Alim McNeill expected to contribute more, maybe even as a fullback

ALLEN PARK — Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions defensive lineman, did not hesitate to answer what he sees for this team starting in September.

“Perfect season. We won the Super Bowl, celebrating here in Detroit in the city, that’s what I see when I close my eyes, when I go to work out, when I go run, when I’m at practice working on different moves,’’ McNeill said on Thursday. “That’s what we are all thinking about, that’s what I’m thinking about. Everybody has the same attitude here, we just want to win. Whatever we can do to win.’’

The Lions are coming off a loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. It’s over, no time for wondering what if. It’s full-speed ahead.

McNeill’s visionary words have to be music to the ears of coach Dan Campbell whose message to the team on the last day of the three-day mandatory minicamp was to remember what they are playing for.

“Each individual, what do you want out of this year? What do you want to look like when we’re sitting here and it’s February? Where is your mind? Think about that and let’s work backward from there, that’s the message,’’ Campbell said.

The coach was asked what he wants: “You know what I want, I want the whole enchilada.’’ 

McNeill, entering his fourth season, is expected to play a major role on the defensive line, lining up next to veteran D.J. Reader who will be in his first season in Detroit.

“In my head it looks like destruction. There’s no other way I can see it, everytime I close my eyes and visualize I just see destruction,’’ McNeill said. “I’ve been watching D.J. since I was younger.’’

Reader isn’t able to practice due to a injury but is expected to possibly be ready for training camp. Still, he is making a difference. In fact, McNeill said it’s a thousand percent better with him on the sidelines, giving suggestions.

Campbell has big expectations for McNeill.

“Mac has so much ability and the way that he is built and the nimbleness and athleticism and power that he has for the way he is, for the way he’s built. You don’t see that every day,’’ Campbell said. “We still feel like there’s more in there. He really took a big step last year. We feel like there’s more in there.’’

Campbell said Terrell Williams, the new defensive line coach, said he’s always liked McNeill but things they can get even more out of them.

Curiously, they might find a bit of a role on offense for the 6-foot-2, 315-pound lineman.

Campbell has mentioned to the media that McNeill could be an option as a fullback, but he and McNeill have not talked about it.

“It’s nothing firm. I have no clue. I hope it is,’’ said McNeill who didn’t play D-line until college. In high school he was a linebacker and running back. In his senior year he had 20 carries for 63 yards and eight touchdowns. Eight.

 Does he miss carrying the ball?

“I still got that, I’ll never lose that,’’ McNeill said.

Stay tuned.

(Up next: Thursday was the last day of spring work for the veterans. They’ll return for the start of training camp. The rookies will practice next week.)