“This is probably the hungriest that I have been,” David Montgomery recently said, his voice filled with determination. As the Detroit Lions prepare to kick off the 2025 season, Montgomery’s words echo the frustration and ambition that have fueled the team’s transformation. From being an average squad to reaching the top seed in the NFC, the Lions have come a long way. But despite the progress, the painful loss to Washington last season still stings. For Montgomery, it was a hard pill to swallow, a near-miss that left both him and the team with a bitter taste.

The veteran running back, often seen as the heart of the team, is determined to turn those close calls into triumphs. He’s not just hoping for another strong season—he’s aiming for a Super Bowl. With a roster full of elite talent, Montgomery knows this is the year. And he’s not shy about pushing his teammates to meet the same level of commitment.

This year’s training camp has been a clear indication of his hunger for success. On day three, the highly anticipated battle between Montgomery and linebacker Jack Campbell took center stage. For Montgomery, it was a chance to showcase his growth, and for Campbell, it was a challenge that didn’t go as planned. Despite Campbell’s status as one of the league’s top linebackers, Montgomery seemed to glide past him with ease, using his agility and sharpness to leave Campbell trailing behind.

Campbell, ranked as the eighth-best linebacker heading into the 2025 season, was left to watch as Montgomery dominated the matchup. The commentators on Lions Syndicate didn’t hold back, calling it both “unfair” and “sad,” but the twist in the narrative was hard to ignore. This moment wasn’t just a testament to Montgomery’s skill—it was a statement of his hunger for the win and the dedication he brings to the field every day. The Lions are ready to make the 2025 season their own, and Montgomery is leading the charge.

“David Montgomery shook this man out of his shoes. David went one way and Jack went the other. I mean, it was sad. It really was. And we know how Jack how great of a linebacker Jack is, but David Montgomery, a fresh, healthy David MontGomery. And to make matters worse, he did it twice. Jack couldn’t even touch him. It was unfair but not really because those are the type of things you’re going to have to deal with in the NFL,” the host said.

Determined to clinch a championship for the Lions this year, Montgomery said, “I feel like a lot of people kind of forget that I’m here in the offense, too.” “So, I’m not here to prove anybody wrong. I’m here to prove myself right and be the best teammate that I can be,” he told ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. After a long period of injury, he has only the Super Bowl on his mind.

This says much about the Lions’ dedication. Last season, injuries took a major toll on the defense and played a key role in Detroit’s playoff letdown. Heading into 2025, the Lions are adjusting to the roster. As we know, the Lions lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators. Now, Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, who is battling injuries again, is likely to miss the 2025 season again to his ACL injury.

Well, Montgomery’s drive to win has set a new bar at camp, and for Campbell, it’s a challenge that might just bring out his very best.

Is this a disguised boon for Jack Campbell?

This is Campbell’s third year, and the defense quarterback will be relaying play-calls from defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, which shows his growing influence. Last season, the Lions’ # 43 led all Lions defenders with 131 total tackles, and he has been impressive since.

But what’s more impressive is the mental growth he’s shown, which the head coach has openly praised. The linebacker’s development comes from the daily challenges he faces going up against Detroit’s offense in practice, as we can see. The HC gave more freedom to the linebacker this year.

“We’re going to give him a lot more, he and Alex (Anzalone) both. A lot more flexibility to get us into the play because he also studies. He studies the opponent, he’s studying our offense and he’s trying to get any little key that he can and that just makes us better,” coach Campbell said. One of the most compelling parts of Campbell’s development has come from his going against quarterback Jared Goff. The two are in a constant cycle of countering each other in practice, and the HC described those sessions as essential to the team’s growth.

“It is fun to watch. You watch both sides go back and forth, and then if something happens day one, whether it didn’t happen at the end of practice, you figured it out and were able to answer back, it’s going to happen in the afternoon practice or the next day’s practice where somebody’s going to adjust. Defense got you, offense has got to adjust, so it is good,” the HC said. Add tight end Sam LaPorta into the equation, too. This will be an interesting year for the Lions.