Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell Voices Strong Support for UFL Becoming Official NFL Farm System, Citing Player Development Successes of NFL Europe.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently made waves with his enthusiastic support for the idea of the United Football League (UFL) becoming a developmental farm system for the National Football League (NFL). While he humbly downplayed his influence by saying, “I don’t make those decisions — nobody cares what I think about that,” his comments reflect a growing sentiment within the league and among fans: that football could benefit from a structured minor league or developmental league system, similar to what Major League Baseball or the NBA has successfully implemented.
Campbell, known for his no-nonsense, gritty style of leadership, drew a compelling comparison to the now-defunct NFL Europe, a spring football league that once operated under the NFL’s umbrella. “NFL Europe was awesome back in the day because that was a chance to really develop guys,” Campbell explained. “We’ve gotten a couple players out of there and I know other teams have.” His nostalgic and pragmatic remarks highlight a very real gap in today’s football ecosystem: the lack of a reliable proving ground for raw or overlooked talent that might not be ready to contribute in the NFL right away, but has potential that could be refined with time, structure, and opportunity.
The UFL, which currently operates as a spring football league made up of merged entities from the former XFL and USFL, has garnered a dedicated following and has shown promise in giving players extended careers, second chances, or a platform to showcase what they can do. Unlike the NFL Combine or college pro days, where players are judged on measurables and potential in shorts and T-shirts, the UFL provides a setting where athletes can actually demonstrate football ability in live game scenarios. For coaches like Campbell, who value toughness, production, and real-time football intelligence, seeing players “running around” and “in shape” coming out of the UFL season makes evaluations easier and more authentic.
Historically, NFL Europe helped launch or revive the careers of several notable players. Kurt Warner, for example, famously played in NFL Europe before eventually leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl title and earning a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other names like James Harrison and Adam Vinatieri also benefitted from stints in developmental or alternative leagues before solidifying their place in the NFL. For teams that are always looking to strengthen the bottom of their roster or uncover a diamond in the rough, such systems offer invaluable resources.
Campbell’s suggestion is not just about nostalgia or hypothetical scenarios — it speaks directly to the reality that NFL rosters are incredibly competitive and unforgiving. Each offseason, hundreds of undrafted free agents and late-round picks fight for a limited number of practice squad and preseason spots. Many of these players have talent, but they lack polish, experience, or simply the opportunity to grow within a team’s system. In a structure like the UFL, teams could send players who aren’t quite ready for NFL action to gain experience and return more refined and prepared for the speed and complexity of the pro game.
This approach could also benefit coaching staffs and front office personnel. Assistant coaches and young coordinators often struggle to get meaningful reps and on-the-job experience at the NFL level, where the stakes are incredibly high and opportunities are limited. A UFL-affiliated developmental league could provide a platform not only for players but also for emerging coaches, scouts, and general managers. The NBA’s G-League has proven to be fertile ground for such talent development, and a similar model in football would create a more robust pipeline of trained professionals at all levels of the game.
Additionally, Campbell’s remarks touch on another underrated value of spring football: readiness. He pointed out that UFL players are already “in shape,” having just finished a season, making them better options for NFL rosters compared to athletes who’ve been inactive for months. For teams looking for midseason replacements due to injury or roster attrition, the idea of tapping into a pool of game-ready, well-conditioned players is highly attractive. Instead of sifting through a list of street free agents who haven’t played in over a year, a coach could turn to the UFL and bring in someone who’s already been competing in a structured system.
There’s also the matter of fan engagement and league growth. A developmental league that is officially tied to the NFL would likely attract a more consistent viewership and media attention. Fans would have the opportunity to track the progress of their team’s prospects in the offseason, deepening their emotional investment and understanding of roster-building. Imagine a Detroit Lions fan being able to watch a late-round rookie linebacker develop in real time with the UFL affiliate, seeing the growth firsthand before that player eventually contributes on Sundays.
While the logistics of such a system would require significant coordination — from scheduling to player contracts to revenue sharing — the long-term benefits could be transformative. It could also help address one of the NFL’s ongoing challenges: depth at key positions. Quarterback, offensive line, and cornerback are three spots where the drop-off between starters and backups can be significant. A developmental league could give teams the ability to “season” their backups, making them more viable contributors when called upon.
Dan Campbell’s advocacy, though casual in delivery, is not without weight. As head coach of a rapidly ascending Lions team, his perspective reflects the modern needs of an NFL franchise that’s trying to build sustainable success, not just year-to-year but over the long haul. Campbell himself, a former player, understands the delicate balance between opportunity and timing. Many NFL careers have stalled simply because a player wasn’t quite ready when their moment came. A UFL farm system could give players a second or even third chance to make the most of that opportunity when it finally arrives.
Campbell’s vision would also have long-term implications for how talent is scouted and evaluated. Colleges vary greatly in quality of coaching, competition, and facilities. A centralized developmental league would help level the playing field by putting athletes from smaller programs or unique backgrounds into an environment where NFL evaluators can see them go head-to-head against comparable talent. It would add context and clarity to scouting reports and help avoid the pitfalls of overvaluing athletes based solely on collegiate reputation or conference strength.
Furthermore, there’s a social dimension to this. Every year, thousands of young men pour their energy, health, and dreams into football. Most don’t make it to the NFL. Giving them an alternative pathway that’s still tied to the league — one that keeps the dream alive and provides a legitimate chance for progression — is not only good for the sport, but also for the culture around it. It validates the effort these players put in and reminds them, and the fans, that development is a process, not a final verdict.
If the UFL were to evolve into a formal developmental league, it could also solve one of the league’s offseason content gaps. Outside of the NFL Draft and free agency, spring football could become an established pillar of the football calendar. With proper branding, network partnerships, and integration with team-specific content, the NFL could leverage this opportunity to retain and even grow its year-round engagement with fans. Teams could hold joint practices, send coaches for internships, and incorporate UFL game tape into their evaluations.
For now, the UFL remains an independent entity. But the interest and support from figures like Dan Campbell might help push the conversation forward. With more coaches, general managers, and former players lending their voices, the case for an official NFL-UFL partnership will only grow stronger. And if history is any indicator, such collaborations can produce both elite talent and unforgettable stories. Just ask Kurt Warner.
In the end, Dan Campbell may claim that no one cares what he thinks about these matters, but his insight is more valuable than he lets on. He represents a growing desire in the football world for something deeper — a commitment to nurturing the game beyond the spotlight. Whether or not the NFL listens remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the future of football may very well depend on its willingness to invest in the next level of development. And the UFL, with its spring season, its hungry athletes, and its clear need for structure, might just be the perfect place to start.
