According to a report by Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Larry Foote is a contender for the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator position.
The Lions are looking for a new defensive coordinator now that Aaron Glenn took the position as the head coach of the New York Jets earlier this week.
Foote, 44, has served as the pass game coordinator and inside linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since 2022. Prior to that, he served as the outside linebackers coach for the Bucs from 2019 to 2021 under former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, earning a third Super Bowl ring in 2021.
Foote played as an inside linebacker during his 13-year NFL career, spending 11 of those years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him from Michigan in the fourth round of the 2002 draft.
Foote emerged as a starter for the first time in 2004 and played a crucial role in the team’s defense during Super Bowl XL and XLIII wins. He played one season with the Lions in 2009, but went back to the Steelers in 2010 for four more seasons. He completed his career with Arizona in 2014.
Throughout his NFL career, Foote participated in 187 games, starting in 134, where he registered 818 tackles, achieved 25 sacks, recovered nine fumbles, and intercepted four passes. Every game except for 29 of them was played with the Steelers.
The coaching staff of the Lions has several connections to the Steelers. Former Steelers center Hank Fraley, wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery, and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El are members of the coaching staff and potential candidates for Detroit’s upcoming offensive coordinator position.
Ex-Steelers cornerback Deshea Townsend serves as Detroit’s defensive backs coach and coordinator for the defensive passing game.