**Dan Campbell on Rookie Tate Ratledge: “We’re Putting a Lot on Him. He’s Drinking Out of a Firehose Right Now”**
The Detroit Lions have never been shy about testing their young players, and this year, rookie offensive lineman Tate Ratledge is getting the full Dan Campbell experience. The Lions’ head coach, known for his demanding yet player-friendly approach, isn’t easing Ratledge into the NFL. Instead, he’s throwing the fifth-round pick into the deep end—and Ratledge is learning to swim quickly.
“We’re putting a lot on him,” Campbell said after a recent training camp session. “He’s drinking out of a firehose right now.”
That phrase—*drinking out of a firehose*—has become a favorite of Campbell’s when describing rookies who are being force-fed the playbook, the techniques, and the speed of the NFL. For Ratledge, a former Georgia Bulldog who played in a pro-style system under Kirby Smart, the transition hasn’t been easy, but the Lions believe he has the tools to thrive.
Ratledge, a 6’6”, 317-pound mauler, was a key piece of Georgia’s dominant offensive line during their back-to-back national championship runs. He played guard and tackle in college, showcasing the versatility that the Lions covet in their offensive linemen. But the NFL is a different beast. The speed, the strength, and the mental processing required are all elevated, and Ratledge is getting a crash course.
“He’s going against some of our best guys every day,” Campbell said. “Aidan [Hutchinson], Alim [McNeill], those guys don’t take plays off. If you make a mistake, they’ll expose it. That’s how you learn.”
The Lions’ offensive line is already one of the best in football, anchored by Pro Bowlers Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow. But depth is critical in the trenches, and Detroit sees Ratledge as a potential long-term piece. His ability to play multiple spots makes him valuable, but it also means more responsibilities—and more room for error.
“He’s not just learning one position,” offensive line coach Hank Fraley said. “We’re cross-training him because you never know when your number’s going to be called. The more he can do, the better.”
Campbell has always valued toughness, both physical and mental, and Ratledge fits that mold. At Georgia, he played through injuries and was part of an offensive line that prided itself on wearing down opponents. That grit is something the Lions are banking on as they push him early.
“The good ones, they don’t break,” Campbell said. “They might bend a little, but they keep coming. Tate’s got that in him. He’s not afraid of the work.”
Teammates have noticed Ratledge’s willingness to learn. Veteran guard Graham Glasgow, who has taken the rookie under his wing, said Ratledge is constantly asking questions and studying film.
“He knows he’s got a long way to go, but he’s not shying away from it,” Glasgow said. “That’s half the battle. A lot of guys come in and get overwhelmed, but he’s embracing it.”
The Lions aren’t just throwing Ratledge into the fire for the sake of it. There’s a method to the madness. Detroit’s coaching staff believes that the best way to accelerate development is through repetition—good, bad, or ugly. Mistakes in training camp are teaching moments, and Ratledge is getting plenty of them.
“You can’t be afraid to fail,” Campbell said. “If you’re scared to make a mistake, you’ll never get better. We’re going to put him in tough spots, and he’s going to have some rough days. But that’s how you grow.”
The hope is that by the time the regular season arrives, Ratledge will have seen enough looks, absorbed enough coaching, and built enough confidence to contribute if needed. The Lions don’t need him to start right away, but in a league where injuries are inevitable, depth is everything.
The preseason will be Ratledge’s first real test against live NFL competition. While training camp drills are valuable, nothing replicates game speed. Campbell has already hinted that Ratledge will see significant snaps in exhibition games, giving the coaching staff a clearer evaluation of where he stands.
“Preseason is huge for these young guys,” Campbell said. “You can do all the drills you want, but until you’re out there in a real game situation, you don’t really know.”
If Ratledge can hold his own, he could carve out a role as a backup guard or even push for snaps as a sixth lineman in heavy packages. The Lions love to run the ball, and having another big, athletic body in the rotation could be a luxury.
Dan Campbell’s approach with Tate Ratledge is a microcosm of how the Lions operate—they don’t coddle players. They challenge them, test them, and see who rises to the occasion. Ratledge is in the middle of that process, and while it hasn’t always been smooth, the early returns are promising.
“He’s got the right mindset,” Campbell said. “He’s going to be just fine.”
For now, Ratledge remains in the firehose phase of his NFL career—soaking up as much as he can, as fast as he can. And if history is any indication, the Lions’ tough-love approach might just turn him into another success story.
