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The Detroit Lions are having a tough time because their coaches are being taken by other NFL teams. Ben Johnson, who used to help the team with offense, is now with the Chicago Bears. Aaron Glenn, who helped with defense, has joined the New York Jets. This means that Dan Campbell, the head coach of the Lions, needs to find new coaches to fill these important roles.
Kelvin Sheppard is not linked to any job openings with the Bears or Jets.
Sheppard, a former player who spent eight years in the NFL, is now coaching linebackers for the Lions. He played for teams like the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins before ending his career with the Lions. Now, he’s making a name for himself in coaching. The Lions really want to keep him on their team.
Mark Brunell, another coach from the Lions, might be leaving too. He’s rumored to be joining the Jets as their offensive coordinator. Brunell, known for his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, has successfully transitioned from a media career to coaching. But for the Lions, keeping Sheppard should be a top priority.
Dan Campbell has an advantage: he knows Sheppard well, and Sheppard is still under contract with the Lions.
Promoting Sheppard could be a smart move for Campbell. It’s often better to look within your team before seeking outsiders. The Eagles once lost their star coordinators but tried replacing them internally—it was worth a shot. Similarly, Campbell should see if promoting Sheppard can fill the gap.
In all honesty, I think the Lions might not do as well next season. They rarely get top spots in playoffs anyway. Plus, I’m not too impressed with teams like the Packers or Vikings for next year. The Bears might improve, but they can’t get much worse than they were.
The Lions’ chance at a Super Bowl might have shrunk with their coordinators leaving. Losing key coaches can bring a team down fast. But giving someone like Sheppard a bigger role might help ease the transition. Even if things don’t go perfectly, Dan Campbell’s leadership will keep them afloat.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Lions win their division again, just with fewer victories…
