The NFL scouting combine isn’t just about 40-yard dashes, vertical leaps, and positional drills—it’s also an opportunity for lighthearted moments amid the intense evaluations of the next generation of football stars.
While the event primarily focuses on college prospects proving their athleticism in front of NFL scouts and coaches, it also serves as a setting for fun, offbeat questions. CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala took full advantage of that opportunity, posing a question to various NFL head coaches: If the coaches themselves had to compete in the combine, who would dominate the bench press?
A Clear Favorite Emerges
The response from coaches across the league was nearly unanimous: Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Campbell, known for his intense energy, no-nonsense attitude, and love for all things gritty, has long been considered one of the most physically imposing coaches in the league. Given his background as a former NFL tight end with a reputation for toughness, it’s no surprise that his peers believe he’d be the undisputed king of the weight room.
Though a few other former players-turned-coaches—Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel—received some votes, Campbell was the overwhelming favorite.
Why Dan Campbell?
It’s not just Campbell’s physique that makes him an obvious choice; it’s his mentality. Since taking over the Lions, he’s embraced a culture of grit, toughness, and sheer physicality—the kind of attitude that screams “I’ll throw up 225 pounds until failure, and then some.”
From his viral kneecap-biting speech at his introductory press conference to his intense demeanor on the sidelines, Campbell embodies everything about the old-school, weight-room warrior mentality. He’s the type of coach who would likely bench press his own players if it meant getting them hyped for a game.
Time to Put It to the Test?
With all of the bench press equipment conveniently set up in Indianapolis for the combine, one question remains: Why not settle this debate once and for all?
Imagine the spectacle—NFL Network cutting to a live broadcast as Dan Campbell, DeMeco Ryans, and Mike Vrabel step onto the stage for a head coach bench press showdown. It would instantly become one of the most-watched moments of the combine, bringing a new level of entertainment to the annual event.
Until that happens, though, we’ll have to take the word of NFL coaches: If there’s one man in the league who could dominate the weight room, it’s Dan Campbell.
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