All-Pro LB Jack Campbell blames himself for Lions' defeat against Bills

Jack Campbell grew emotional as he shouldered the blame for the team’s Week 2 defeat to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The All-Pro linebacker blamed himself for the team’s poor defensive play in an emotional postgame interview while speaking to the reporters inside the visitors’ locker room at Highmark Stadium, NY.

The first regular-season game was played in the newly constructed Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, at a whopping cost of $2.1 billion.

The tearful 2024 NFL MVP, reflecting on the Lions' loss, said, “I’m gonna be honest with you. Hats off to them; played terrible.”

Campbell talked about accountability, adding, “It starts with me, and I feel like it’s on me. I gotta be better. And I ain’t got no other thing to do but look in the mirror and be better so that’s really where it starts. It starts with us, but yeah, they did a good job.”

Campbell concluded with six tackles and a QB hit against the Bills, but Detroit’s defence has given up at least 30 points in two straight games, dropping to 1-1.

It marks the Lions’ first time ever that the team had allowed at least 30 points in the first two games of a regular season since 2021.

Campbell put all the blame on his shoulders, despite the Lions’ defence performing poorly as they fell behind 21-0 in the first half.

“Everytime I lace up my cleats, I’m going 100%. Yeah, put it on me. I played terrible. I’ve gotta be better. Especially for the offence and for all these guys in the locker room,” Campbell admitted.

The Detroit Lions face the New York Jets on Week 3 in a home game on September 27, 2026.