NFL executives doubting Lions as Super Bowl contenders doesn’t add up
The Detroit Lions built one of the NFL’s top coaching staffs during their rise under Dan Campbell, but that impressive group has been heavily raided after both coordinators earned head coaching roles.
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson took wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach JT Barrett with him to the Chicago Bears, while Aaron Glenn hired passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand and tight ends coach Steve Heiden after joining the New York Jets.
Detroit acted fast to fill the gaps, bringing in John Morton as the new OC and promoting linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator. While some might find that response commendable, league executives believe these departures could hurt their 2025 outlook.
One anonymous NFL exec told Mike Sando of The Athletic that Detroit makes him “nervous” due to the coaching turnover. Another compared losing Johnson to the Rams parting ways with Sean McVay, saying Glenn’s absence could hurt the defense’s role players.
Morton has called plays successfully before and spent years learning under Sean Payton. Sheppard, as an in-house promotion, could maintain Glenn’s scheme. All told, Detroit’s replacements appear to be strong.
The roster put together by Campbell and GM Brad Holmes—with Jared Goff at QB and elite skill players—should be more than enough to keep them among title contenders despite losing some key coaches.
Losing multiple top assistants quickly isn’t unique to the Lions. The Super Bowl-winning Eagles lost Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon to head coaching jobs, yet won the championship two years later.
The Lions may not win 15 games again in a tough NFC North, but they shouldn’t be counted out. Campbell and Holmes have built a foundation that can succeed regardless of who’s calling the shots.
