The Detroit Lions became the third NFL team since 2010 to lose both offensive and defensive coordinators to head coaching jobs in the same offseason. Ben Johnson is now leading the Chicago Bears, while Aaron Glenn has taken over the New York Jets, both earning finalist nods for the 2024 AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year award.
The Lions are keen to avoid the drop-off experienced by the Eagles and Bengals in similar situations. Philadelphia’s 2022 Super Bowl run ended with a wild-card exit the following year, and Cincinnati’s 2013 division championship was followed by a second-place finish after their coordinators left.
Head coach Dan Campbell, a finalist for AP NFL Coach of the Year, had anticipated the departures. “Dan’s been preparing for this,” GM Brad Holmes said. “I trust him to bring in the right replacements.”
The Lions are also working to retain their remaining staff and key players like safety Kerby Joseph while deciding on unrestricted free agents such as guard Kevin Zeitler.
Despite a record-setting 15-win season and back-to-back division titles, the Lions fell short in the playoffs, losing to Washington in the divisional round. Holmes emphasized the positives: “It stung, but it doesn’t discredit what we accomplished this year.”
