The Detroit Lions have added another member to their coaching staff, indicating the conclusion of passing-game coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s tenure with the team.
As per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions are bringing on David Shaw, a senior personnel executive from the Denver Broncos, as their new passing-game coordinator, a role that was formerly occupied by Engstrand.
“Sources indicate that former Stanford head coach David Shaw has reached a multiyear agreement with the Lions to take on the role of passing game coordinator,” he reported. “Shaw, 52, has previously collaborated with new OC John Morton.” A significant addition to Dan Campbell’s revamped team.
Engstrand was brought on by the Lions in 2020 to work as an offensive assistant. Since that time, Engstrand was elevated to offensive quality control coach in 2021, tight ends coach and passing-game coordinator in 2022, and then functioned solely as the passing-game coordinator from 2023 to 2024.
Engstrand, alongside running backs coach Scottie Montgomery, was viewed as one of the internal candidates for the Lions’ offensive coordinator position after Ben Johnson left for the Chicago Bears. Nonetheless, it seems that both were overlooked for the position, as the team chose Broncos pass-game coordinator John Morton instead.
Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, Engstrand is anticipated to join the New York Jets, working under Aaron Glenn, the new head coach and former Lions defensive coordinator, as the offensive coordinator, as reported by Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com.
In Shaw’s view, the ex-Stanford head coach who became a Broncos executive has ample NFL experience. He was an offensive quality control coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (1997) and the Raiders (1998-2000), a quarterbacks coach for the Raiders (2001), and a wide receivers and quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens (2002-2005).
Prior to his hiring as the offensive coordinator at Stanford, where he later became head coach, Shaw also served as the pass-game coordinator and wide receivers coach at San Diego. Shaw was brought on board by the Broncos in 2024.