The Detroit Lions were among the top teams in the NFL this regular season, having lost only two games – however, they’ve already lost a number of coaches since their playoff exit.
Terry Bradshaw thinks the Detroit Lions will find it hard to duplicate their impressive 2024 performance next season due to the loss of many coaches.
The Lions clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC, yet they squandered the opportunity by falling 45-31 to the Washington Commanders at home in the Divisional Round. Their competitors have now capitalized on their achievements, resulting in multiple coaches departing from Detroit.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has been appointed the head coach of the New York Jets. Glenn has appointed Tanner Engstrand, Detroit’s passing game coordinator, as his offensive coordinator, and Steve Heiden, Detroit’s tight ends coach, as his offensive line coach.
The Lions have also lost their offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears, where he has taken on the role of head coach. Johnson has appointed Detroit’s assistant quarterback coach J.T. Barrett as his quarterback coach and has brought on Detroit’s wide receiver coach Antwaan Randle El as his assistant head coach.
Compounding the distress is the departure of defensive line coach and run game coordinator Terrell Williams, who has taken on the role of defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. At a FOX media event, Pittsburgh Steelers icon Bradshaw was inquired whether the Lions could compete for trophies next season and pointed out the departure of multiple coaches.
“We all believed it was a pivotal moment (in 2024),” Bradshaw stated. “They created that team, and they continue to develop it.” Their defense faced a setback, but when they entered the playoffs we all thought, ‘They must win it’ – since this Johnson fellow is leaving, and the defensive coordinator will be departing, and indeed they have left.
“Now you can execute the same plays and run the same offense.” However, exceptional coordinators excel in utilizing those plays and formations to dictate coverage, which is the hallmark of offensive coordinators. When considering the 32 teams in the NFL, there aren’t too many excellent coordinators. There are many coordinators, but few of them are truly exceptional.
“When you observe Denver and Sean Payton, whom I consider among the best globally, you nurture these young talents, help them develop and learn, and they eventually move on elsewhere, ideally evolving into successful coordinators.” “However, that really impacted Detroit.”
When inquired whether Detroit’s quarterback Jared Goff can handle the coaching changes and secure a Super Bowl, Bradshaw stated: “He’s capable.” However, once more, when you execute a play, when you initiate a play, when you perform a double reverse – when you engage in all these actions, that’s where the coordinators stand out.
When do you strike quickly? When do you refrain from blitzing? Do you rush here? Do you approach things in a different way? Just like in these Super Bowl matches, it’s always something unique, so what will be distinct? Kansas City… when will they start blitzing? Will they pretend to blitz?
“Nothing makes a quarterback more frustrated than watching everyone get all tense.” Now that you realize they’re all not attending, who is it that’s not coming? Is it a rush by four players? Is it a rush with three players? Are five guys coming? There are essential elements to all of that, and that’s why a quarterback must be very focused.