The Detroit Lions seem to be bracing for the departure of pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who is the leading candidate to become the New York Jets’ next offensive coordinator.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions have already identified Engstrand’s successor. The team has reportedly agreed to a “multiyear deal” with former Stanford head coach David Shaw.
Shaw has an extensive coaching background dating back to 1995, but he notably began his NFL career alongside new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton with the Oakland Raiders. While Morton was gaining experience as an offensive assistant from 1998-99, Shaw served as the Raiders’ quality control coach. Both would eventually rise through the ranks, with Shaw becoming the Raiders quarterbacks coach in 2001 and Morton later becoming the tight ends coach.
Shaw has coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, but he is best known for his 12 years as head coach at Stanford, where he compiled a 96-54 record, including three top-10 finishes. He was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times and won two Rose Bowl titles during an eight-year stretch of consecutive winning seasons for the Cardinals. Over his tenure, Shaw worked with talents like Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffrey.
After four consecutive losing seasons at Stanford, Shaw stepped down and took a year off from coaching in 2023. However, he returned last year as a senior personnel executive with the Denver Broncos.
Shaw’s hiring is the latest move in a series of coaching changes for the Lions.