01/25/2026
Congrats Jack!
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The Detroit Lions have one of the league’s true defensive cornerstones, and now it’s official. Jack Campbell was named the 2025 Pro Butkus Award winner, given annually to the NFL’s top linebacker, honoring the legacy of Hall of Famer Dick Butkus. Campbell received the award in his hometown of Cedar Falls, Iowa, presented by Matt Butkus, marking a full-circle moment in a breakout season that put him among the game’s elite.
In all 17 games, Campbell was the heartbeat of Detroit’s defense, finishing with 176 total tackles, second-most in the NFL, along with nine tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His impact went far beyond the stat sheet. Campbell controlled the middle of the field with size, instincts, and discipline, consistently diagnosing plays, communicating alignments, and arriving at the football with authority.
The Butkus Award committee highlighted Campbell’s leadership and football character, praising his ability to put himself in position to make game-changing plays week after week. That dominance also earned him first-team All-Pro honors, making him the first Lions linebacker to achieve that distinction since Chris Spielman in 1991, as well as a Pro Bowl selection.
This wasn’t new territory for Campbell. He previously won the Butkus Award at Iowa in 2022, becoming the first Hawkeye to ever take home the honor, and now he’s done it again on the NFL stage. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, Campbell’s rise from promising prospect to the league’s best linebacker has positioned him as a foundational piece for Detroit’s defense and a prime candidate for a long-term extension.