Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has thrown his full support behind second-year wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa following a difficult showing in the team’s preseason opener. Speaking to reporters on Thursday night, Campbell addressed the young pass catcher’s slow start to training camp and his struggles on the field, emphasizing patience and trust in the player’s work ethic.
The spotlight fell on TeSlaa during the Lions’ 16-14 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite drawing heavy attention from the offense—trailing only wide receiver Dominic Lovett and running back Jacob Saylors in target share—TeSlaa failed to secure a reception, going 0-for-3 on his targets. His night included a memorable miscue when his very first target slipped through his hands, struck his facemask, and popped up into the air for an interception hauled in by Bengals defensive back Jordan Battle. Later in the contest, TeSlaa missed on a tough fourth-down opportunity with a defender draped over him.
The shaky outing compounded an already inconsistent start to training camp for the young receiver, leading some to question whether he might be experiencing a sophomore slump. However, Campbell made it clear that panic is not on the agenda for the Lions coaching staff.
Dan Campbell Preaches Patience for TeSlaa
Rather than lashing out or publicly tearing down the struggling wideout, Campbell chose to offer a steady hand of encouragement. Drawing on his own experiences in professional football, the veteran coach noted the heavy burden young players place upon themselves as they strive for excellence.
“I remember what those days are like. You want everything to come in a hurry and, you’re going into your second year and you can placed a lot of pressure on yourself, especially because you want to be great. I mean, he wants to be great,” Campbell said, preaching a message of steadfastness. “So I think more than anything, he’s just stay the course.”
Campbell added that while he hasn’t ruled out a private conversation with the receiver regarding his performance, he doesn’t view major intervention as strictly necessary. He praised TeSlaa’s intrinsic confidence and professional mindset, noting that the player’s instinct is always simply to put his head down and return to work.
Building Consistency Amid Roster Competition
The pressure on TeSlaa is palpable as he attempts to carve out a larger offensive role within a crowded wide receiver room. The Lions currently feature 11 wide receivers on their roster, setting the stage for difficult decisions ahead of final cuts. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams remain locked in as the team’s top two receiving targets, leaving TeSlaa to battle competitors like Dominic Lovett and Tom Kennedy for the vital WR3 spot.
Despite the current bumps in the road, TeSlaa’s underlying talent keeps him firmly in the team’s long-term plans. As a rookie last season, the former Arkansas standout—who averaged 19.5 yards per reception during his final collegiate campaign in 2024—proved his worth in clutch situations. He hauled in 16 receptions total, turning six of those catches into touchdowns while averaging 14.9 yards per catch. That reliable scoring touch made him a dangerous red-zone weapon when given the opportunity.
Campbell expressed confidence that TeSlaa’s trajectory will soon correct itself once he secures a few breakthrough moments on the practice field.
“He’s got a damn good coach in that room in Scottie [Montgomery] and man, all it takes is a couple of wins. Just a couple of wins at critical times against some guys in practice and then in a game to all of a sudden, it skyrockets. It goes back up,” Campbell said. “Sometimes, it’s with the young players, it’s a little bit of that pendulum swing. So, he’ll be fine. He’s going to be just fine.”
As the Lions continue their preseason schedule, all eyes will be on how TeSlaa responds on the practice field and whether he can regain the surehanded form that defined his rookie campaign before the regular season kicks off.
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