It’s tough to identify another NFL team facing penalties for their achievements like the Detroit Lions currently are. Following the departure of their two leading assistants to head coaching positions, the remainder of the coaching staff is consistently being raided.
In the last two weeks, the Chicago Bears have appointed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach. Johnson quickly recruited multiple key assistants from the Lions to his team, such as assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El.
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Since the New York Jets appointed Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, Glenn has begun to acquire some of his previous colleagues from Detroit as well.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero reports that the Jets have recently appointed Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden as their new offensive line coach. Heiden has been in the position for the last two years. However, he probably won’t be the sole coach the Jets acquire, as Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand has emerged as the front-runner for the offensive coordinator position.
“The #Jets have reached an agreement with #Lions TE coach Steve Heiden to become their new offensive line coach, according to a source.” Tanner Engstrand is the leading candidate to join as offensive coordinator, and Aaron Glenn is creating his own interpretation of Detroit’s offense in New York,” Pelissero reported.
With Barrett and Randle-El coming to the Bears, Heiden (and probably Engstrand) heading to the Jets, and running game coordinator Terrell Williams going to the New England Patriots, the Lions have now seen six crucial staff members depart who played a vital role in the team’s recent achievements.
The Lions are commendably replacing their outgoing staff, appointing John Morton as their new offensive coordinator and promoting Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator. However, many of those being hired or elevated are either newcomers to the team or do not possess the experience of their predecessors.
To add to their challenges, the Lions face some difficult choices regarding several of their key players who significantly impacted the team’s 27-7 record in the last two seasons.
Although the Lions possess the skills to become NFC North champions again in 2025, they will need to develop strong chemistry in a short time.