Lions Face Major Coaching Overhaul After Playoff Exit

DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Lions are navigating a significant coaching staff overhaul following their early exit from the 2024 NFL playoffs. After a disappointing 15-2 season that ended with a divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders, the team has seen several key coaches depart, including offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Head coach Dan Campbell now faces the challenge of rebuilding his staff while maintaining the momentum of a team that has emerged as a contender in recent years. The Lions lost five coaches in the six days following their playoff defeat, including defensive line coach Terrell Williams, receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett.

“We knew this was a possibility,” Campbell said in a recent press conference. “When you have success, other teams come calling. We’ve been preparing for this, but it’s still a tough transition.”

The Lions’ offense, which ranked among the top five in the league over the past three seasons, will be a focal point of the rebuild. Johnson, who has been instrumental in the team’s offensive success, left to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Glenn, meanwhile, took over as head coach of the New York Jets.

Internal candidates for the offensive coordinator role include assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery, quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell, and passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Engstrand, in particular, has been praised for his contributions to the team’s game-planning and scheme development.

“Tanner has been a huge part of our success,” Campbell said. “He’s grown tremendously over the past three years, and his vision for the offense aligns with what we want to do.”

Despite the coaching changes, the Lions’ roster remains strong. Quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are among the key players returning for the 2025 season. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson will also anchor a defense that aims to improve after battling injuries in 2024.

The Lions’ 2025 schedule includes 11 games against teams that made the playoffs in 2024, adding to the challenges of maintaining their status as a contender. The team will face the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears twice each, along with tough matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs.

As the Lions prepare for the upcoming season, the question remains whether they can overcome their coaching turnover and build on their recent success. “The goal is to get back to the playoffs and finish the job,” Campbell said. “We have the talent. Now it’s about putting the pieces together.”