Top 3 OC and DC candidates that could replace Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn if they leave the Lions
This was originally going to be the answer for a Detroit Lions Mailbag question, but it's such a good question that it deserves its own standalone article. Thanks, Chad. Ok, so here's how I'm going to do it. I think the Lions have a great in-house contingency plan for if either or both of these […]
This was originally going to be the answer for a Detroit Lions Mailbag question, but it's such a good question that it deserves its own standalone article. Thanks, Chad.
Ok, so here's how I'm going to do it. I think the Lions have a great in-house contingency plan for if either or both of these guys leave. So I'm going to do two candidates from the Lions and then one outside guy. Let's jump into it.
If Ben Johnson leaves
Tanner Engstrand
This one feels like a no-brainer to be honest. The Lions' passing game coordinator has already been someone who has had OC interviews around the league last offseason. He could definitely be ready to take over the job after three seasons under Johnson's tutelage. I think this is the best shot for zero drop-off.
Scottie Montgomery
There is a ton of respect in the building for Montgomery. Another guy has gotten some OC interviews and could potentially get a head coaching interview or two this offseason as well. The Lions love to run the ball and it makes sense that the running backs coach would take over the offense and continue their prime strategy.
David Blough
It's a long shot and I'm crazy, but this guy will be an offensive coordinator probably faster than you think. Coaching is just in his DNA and while he's just an assistant quarterbacks coach right now, he's been helping a lot with the Commanders offense and he has an intimate knowledge of the Lions offense and what they expect here. Maybe a little too early on this one, but I'm confident enough that it's a promote-from-within situation, so I'm just throwing him in here.
If Aaron Glenn leaves
Kelvin Sheppard
You see this guy on the sideline every week and the players are just at attention for him. He's been such a big deal for this team since the Lions added him to the staff in 2021. Linebackers were supposed to be a weakness for this team, but Sheppard has made them the deepest group the Lions have. He's ready whether it's in Detroit or somewhere else. He can lead.
Terrell Williams
It's an interesting move if it happens. Williams has primarily been a defensive line coach since 1998, but he has so much respect for him that you believe he could lead this defense. The thing is that we don't really know if he can draw up plays because he's just never done it before.
Dennis Allen
If the Lions were going to hire from the outside on this, Allen makes a ton of sense. He has a history with Dan Campbell in New Orleans and despite his struggling as ahead coach, he has always proved to be a good defensive coordinator. It's why he keeps getting head coaching opportunities.
Looking over the five NFL head coach openings to see if any of them fit what Ben Johnson has reportedly been looking for
Black Monday has come and gone in the NFL at this point and this offseason looks to be one of those where there just aren't a lot of openings. More could come as playoff teams may decide to go for a fresh start, but at this point, we have five openings. Really it feels like […]
