Another Lions assistant coach is departing for a different team in 2025. The most recent coach of this kind is tight ends coach Steve Heiden. As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Heiden will be teaming up with Aaron Glenn in New York as the Jets’ new offensive line coach.
Heiden was the tight ends coach in Detroit for two years. He arrived in Detroit in 2023 after a decade in Arizona coaching special teams, tight ends, and the offensive line. Heiden participated in the NFL for 11 years. In 1999, he was selected in the third round by the San Diego Chargers from South Dakota State and played for three seasons before spending eight years with Cleveland.
Heiden will take over for Keith Carter, who led the Jets’ offensive line for two years.
Along with Glenn and Heiden, the Lions have also parted ways with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (current Bears head coach), wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El (Bears assistant head coach/wide receiver), assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett (Bears quarterbacks coach), and defensive line coach Terrell Williams (now Patriots defensive coordinator).
Passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand may also depart as he is considered for the position of offensive coordinator under Glenn with the Jets — Glenn has brought on Steve Wilks as his defensive coordinator and defensive play-caller.
Detroit succeeded in retaining offensive line coach/run game coordinator Hank Fraley, who was a candidate for the offensive coordinator position with the Seattle Seahawks, along with quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell.
Additional new hires and promotions within the staff feature offensive coordinator John Morton (previously the Broncos pass game coordinator), defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard (elevated from linebackers coach), defensive run game coordinator/defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers (formerly the Buccaneers DL/defensive run game coordinator), and linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton (promoted from assistant linebackers coach).