Lions Legend Al Baker Speaks Out Against Don Compball: “You’re Not Going to Like This”
In an exclusive and shocking interview, Detroit Lions legend Al Baker, widely regarded as one of the most feared pass rushers in the history of the NFL, has publicly spoken out against former Lions General Manager Don Compball. His comments, which have already sent shockwaves through the football world, reveal a deep sense of betrayal and disappointment with the direction Compball has taken the team since his tenure began. Baker, known for his candid personality and no-holds-barred style, didn’t mince words in a scathing critique of the man who once held the reins to one of the most storied franchises in professional football.
“You’re not going to like this,” Baker began, as he leaned into the microphone, his voice dripping with frustration. “But what Don Compball did to this team, to the culture of the Lions, is unforgivable. I’ve seen a lot in my time in this league, but what Compball did—it’s a disgrace.”
A Legacy of Losing
Al Baker’s legacy with the Lions is a long and illustrious one. A standout defensive lineman who played for the team from 1978 to 1984, Baker earned two Pro Bowl selections and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s. Known for his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks and his leadership on the field, Baker was the epitome of what it meant to be a Lion.
But over the years, Baker has become increasingly disillusioned with how the team has been managed, especially under Compball’s tenure. Compball, who was hired as the general manager of the Lions in 2014, was supposed to be the man to take the franchise to the next level. Instead, many fans and analysts believe the Lions have taken a step backward under his leadership.
Baker’s disdain for Compball goes beyond the typical complaints of missed draft picks or questionable free-agent signings. For him, the problem runs deeper: it’s about the culture that was cultivated during Compball’s reign.
“I’ve never seen a GM so disconnected from the history of this franchise,” Baker said, shaking his head. “Don never respected what we built here in Detroit. He came in with his own ideas, and sure, some of them might have worked on paper, but when it comes to building a team—an actual football team—you need heart. You need grit. And you need a respect for the men who wore the jersey before you.”
Baker went on to cite multiple examples of how Compball’s decisions over the years seemed to lack any long-term vision, focusing more on short-term fixes and headline-grabbing moves than establishing a cohesive team culture. Baker was especially vocal about the team’s failure to nurture talent from within, pointing to high-profile draft busts and mismanaged player development.
“I get it, you want to make a splash,” Baker continued. “But sometimes you don’t need to blow up the roster just for the sake of change. We had guys who could’ve been cornerstones for years, but instead, they were traded away for what? Future draft picks that turned into nothing? That’s not how you build a winner.”
The “Worst Move” of Compball’s Career
Perhaps the most damning portion of Baker’s criticism centered around what he believes to be the worst move of Don Compball’s career—the trade of superstar quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Stafford, who had spent 12 years in Detroit, was one of the few constants for the Lions during an era marked by mediocrity and missed opportunities. While Stafford never led the team to a Super Bowl, his skill and leadership were undeniable, and many, including Baker, feel that the team failed to surround him with enough talent to succeed.
Baker was unequivocal in his belief that the trade to Los Angeles, which sent Stafford to the Rams in exchange for multiple draft picks, was a massive blunder.
“Let me tell you something,” Baker said, his voice rising. “That was the dumbest move they ever made. You don’t trade away your franchise quarterback unless you have something better lined up. And guess what? The Lions didn’t. They sent Stafford away, and for what? To build around a bunch of unknowns? That move showed a complete lack of respect for everything that guy had given to this team.”
Despite Stafford’s eventual success with the Rams, culminating in a Super Bowl victory in 2022, Baker still believes the trade set the franchise back.
“Stafford deserved better. He deserved to play for a team that actually valued him,” Baker said. “Instead, Compball shipped him out like he was just another asset. I can’t respect that.”
A Call for Change
Despite his harsh words for Compball, Baker has not given up hope on the Lions’ future. In fact, his comments are not just criticisms—they are a call to action for the organization to reconsider its approach. For Baker, the Lions must return to their roots, honoring the players who laid the foundation for the team’s success, while also finding new leadership that understands the unique challenges of managing a franchise like Detroit.
“We’ve had some good years here and there, but overall, the Lions have been stuck in this cycle of mediocrity. And that’s because we don’t know who we are anymore. We’ve lost our identity,” Baker said. “But there’s hope. If this organization can start respecting its history, understanding its legacy, and getting the right people in charge, we can turn this thing around. But it starts at the top. And right now, that’s the biggest problem.”
Baker also expressed his frustration with the current ownership, which he feels has been too passive in overseeing the team’s management. The Ford family, which has owned the Lions for decades, has often been criticized for not being more hands-on in the decision-making process.
“You can’t just sit back and let the same mistakes happen over and over again,” Baker said. “The Ford family has to get more involved. If they truly care about this team, they need to start holding the front office accountable. Because right now, the ship is sinking, and nobody seems to care.”
A Divided Fanbase
Baker’s words have certainly struck a chord, but not all fans are in agreement. While some supporters are rallying behind the Hall of Famer, agreeing that Compball’s tenure has been marked by too many mistakes, others are quick to defend the GM, citing his role in rebuilding the team after the departure of Stafford and other high-profile veterans.
One Lions fan, Greg Thompson, commented on social media: “Al’s right about a lot of things, but Don made some tough decisions that needed to be made. Sometimes you have to tear it down to build it back up. I think Compball’s moves will pay off in the long run.”
However, Baker’s influence in Detroit cannot be understated, and his voice remains an important one in the ongoing debate about the future of the Lions. Whether you agree with him or not, his perspective as a former player with an intimate understanding of the franchise’s inner workings brings an authenticity to the conversation that many outsiders simply don’t possess.
A New Era for the Lions?
As the Lions continue to navigate their path forward, the question remains: Will the franchise finally return to its glory days, or will it continue to struggle in the shadow of its former greatness? Baker’s words serve as both a warning and a call to arms—urging the Lions to reconnect with their history, embrace the legacy of the past, and, above all, put the right people in place to lead the team into a brighter future.
Only time will tell if Don Compball’s decisions will ultimately define the team’s trajectory. But for Al Baker, the message is clear: the Lions have a long way to go before they can call themselves contenders again.
And as he put it, with his usual blend of blunt honesty: “Until that day comes, don’t ask me to believe in what they’re doing.”
