Jan 25, 2025
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Looking at our favorite candidates for the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator position. The Detroit Lions’ 2025 coaching staff is in the very early stages of being rebuilt. As former Lions coaches Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson build their respective staffs in their new homes, Detroit has seen several key staffers leave this week. On top of Glenn and Johnson, the Lions have lost assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett, WR coach Antwaan Randle EL, and DL coach Terrell Williams. With Glenn still building his roster, more attrition could be on the horizon But, in my opinion, no coaching vacancy is more important than offensive coordinator. A large majority of the Lions’ success over the last three seasons has been off the backs of their top-five ranked offense. While Ben Johnson is far from the only reason Detroit has maintained one of the best offenses in football over the past three seasons, it’s essential for the Lions to ensure that side of the football doesn’t take a significant step back. So today’s Question of the Day is: Who should be the Lions’ next offensive coordinator? My answer: Obviously, a few candidates to take over that job are no longer options. Randle El is in Chicago now, while offensive line coach Hank Fraley is staying—but with the run game coordinator title added. Despite that, Detroit still has a few internal candidates. Assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery is extremely well-respected and has the leadership qualities for a promotion. QB coach Mark Brunell—while getting some attention for other jobs—would help the Lions continue to keep quarterback Jared Goff comfortable. And passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand has been the behind-the-scenes guy with his hands all over game-planning and scheme evolution. There are also a bunch of intriguing external candidates, as ran down by our own Erik Schlitt. Rams TE coach/pass game coordinator Nick Caley is probably my favorite on the list, although some consider him the frontrunner for Aaron Glenn’s offensive coordinator with the Jets. Ultimately, though, this team wants consistency with previous years. They want someone who Goff is comfortable with, who aligns their vision of the offense with head coach Dan Campbell, and they would even prefer the terminology to be the same or similar. If that’s the case, I see no candidate better qualified than Engstrand. He’s followed the exact same path as Johnson did on his way to becoming the Lions offensive coordinator, and it’s clear from his career trajectory that the Lions value him. “He’s bringing a lot more ideas to the pass game in general,” Campbell said shortly after Engstrand’s promotion to passing game coordinator. “And I think really from the gameplan aspect is where you really see it, as well as, man, the details of the routes with the receivers, the tight ends, the backs, because he kind of works in those rooms too. And then we go out, we do the walkthroughs, we do practice and so he’s got a hand in all that too. So, I just – I see a lot of growth and if you’re asking me what I’ve really seen over a three-year period is the growth in vision and gameplan.” Someone who has a hand in every position group, is critical in weekly gameplans for the passing offense, and has constantly received promotions every step of the way? Find me a better candidate. What do you think? Share you pick for the Lions’ next offensive coordinator in the comment section below.
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