There’s a new NFL rumour floating around that could have Detroit Lions fans raising their eyebrows, and maybe even their hopes, just a little. It involves Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt and the possibility, however slim, that he could end up in a Lions uniform in the future.

T.J. Watt is currently with the Steelers and is one of the best defensive players in the league. He’s a seven-time Pro Bowler, the kind of player any team would want. Right now, he’s in contract talks with Pittsburgh. But those talks haven’t gone very smoothly; in fact, Watt recently skipped the team’s minicamp, which usually signals frustration during negotiations.

Now, no one is saying he’s about to leave. There is no trade happening. Watt is still with the Steelers, and he’s under contract. But according to a report by Woodward Sports NetworkWatt told another NFL player that if he doesn’t get a new deal done with the Steelers and he either gets traded or becomes a free agent in 2026, he would be very interested in playing for the Detroit Lions.

The answer is simple: Dan Campbell, the Lions’ head coach. Watt reportedly said he’d “really enjoy playing for Dan Campbell” if he ever had to leave Pittsburgh. Campbell is known for being one of the most respected and emotionally invested coaches in the league. He wears his heart on his sleeve, speaks honestly, and, most importantly, understands players deeply, likely because he used to be one himself. Players admire him not just for his football knowledge, but because they know he genuinely cares about them as people.

This rumour doesn’t mean anything is happening right now. In fact, it would take a serious breakdown between Watt and the Steelers for him to even be on the market. Pittsburgh sees him as a franchise cornerstone, a player they simply can’t afford to lose.

Still, it’s interesting that Detroit is on Watt’s radar. It shows just how much respect Dan Campbell commands around the NFL. If things do fall apart in Pittsburgh and Watt becomes available in a couple of years, Detroit might just be one of the first teams he thinks about. It’s nothing more than a whisper at this point, but it’s a whisper that could mean something down the road.