Detroit Lions 2025 season award: Breakout Player of the Year

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Jack Campbell #46 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to the NFL 2025 game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on November 27, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the NFL offseason officially here for all 32 teams, it's time to take a final look back at the Detroit Lions' 2025 season and hand out some hardware. The Lions may have (unjustifiably) gone empty-handed at the NFL Honors last week, but we here at Pride of Detroit want to celebrate some of the better performances and moments from an admittedly disappointing season.

It's time for the Pride of Detroit Awards, or the PODies, as no one says.

We start out with the 2025 Detroit Lions Breakout Player of the Year. Below, our staff will present a case for each award, but the winner will be determined by your vote in the poll at the bottom of the article. So don't forget to cast your vote!

Detroit Lions 2025 Breakout Player of the Year

Meko Scott: Jack Campbell

It's well-documented that the selection of Jack Campbell with the 18th pick in the 2023 draft was met with a lot of skepticism. However, this past season Campbell put all of that to bed as he was a true impact player for this defense in nearly every aspect of the game. After two seasons of steady improvement, we saw a breakout season from Jack where he tallied 176 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. All of which earned him his first Pro Bowl team, as well as a First-Team All-Pro selection.

John Whiticar: Jack Campbell

Campbell had an up-and-down rookie season, followed by a good but not great second season. I think most of us expected another step forward from Campbell in 2025, but I don't think any of us envisioned him as an All-Pro. On a weekly basis, Campbell was the cornerstone of the Lions' defense.

Ryan Mathews: Al-Quadin Muhammad

Jack Campbell is a strong candidate for this one, and deservedly so after the year he had. But relative to expectations, Al-Quadin Muhammad is my pick for breakout player of the year. Despite his limited playing time, Muhammad finished t-ninth in the NFL in sacks (11.0) and posted the ninth-best pass-rushing productivity score (10.2)-a formula that combines sacks, hits, and hurries relative to how many times they rush the passer-amongalledge rushers,according to PFF.

Al Karsten: Jack Campbell

Campbell took a massive leap in Year 3, fulfilling the vision the franchise had when it selected him 18th overall. He was the clear bright spot for the Lions' defense in a bumpy first year under Kelvin Sheppard, setting career highs in tackles (176), tackles for loss (9), sacks (5), and forced fumbles (3). His performance earned not only his first Pro Bowl nod but also First Team All-Pro honors. His consistency, paired with an uptick in splash plays, proved crucial, including standout performances in wins over the Ravens, Buccaneers, and Cowboys.

Erik Schlitt: Jack Campbell

Even though the Lions told us this was the year Jack Campbell would be taking ownership over the defense, I'm not quite sure anyone expected him to dominate the way he did. Over 17 games started, Campbell registered a combined 176 tackles (89 solo and 87 assisted), nine tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a 90.2 overall grade from PFF (second amongst linebackers in 2025) on his way to Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro recognitions.

Brandon Knapp: Al-Quadin Muhammad

Career high in sacks, someone who helped provide some pass rush outside of Aidan Hutchinson, it's a no-brainer. AQM helped out in 2024, but his production in 2025 surged.

Jeremy Reisman: Al-Quadin Muhammad

Since everyone answered either Muhammad or Campbell, I'll use this space to talk about some honorable mentions. Jameson Williams took yet another step and looked like the kind of well-rounded receiver the Lions were hopeful for. Roy Lopez proved to be a fantastic free agent signing, as well as Avonte Maddox. But no one outperformed expectations more than Muhammad.

[POLL TO COME]