The Detroit Lions have certainly opened up their search when it comes to finding their next offensive coordinator. Previously, the Lions had come into 2021 with the guy they knew they wanted at OC with Anthony Lynn. Then switched right over to a guy on staff in Ben Johnson. Then Detroit didn’t interview anyone after Johnson left and gave the job right to John Morton. This is the first time this team has looked outside the building. Right now, the Lions have six candidates, but there could always be more. Here are five guys out there who haven’t been in for the Lions yet, but could:

Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase

Scheelhaase is getting a lot of play around the NFL right now. He’s interviewed for the Ravens, Browns, Steelers, and Raiders head coach jobs, not their coordinator spot, but their head coach jobs. That’s a huge jump for him. At this point, he’s probably more likely to get an offensive coordinator job, and teams are probably watching what happens with Rams’ DC Chris Shula first to see if it’s even worth interviewing Scheehaase, who could just wind up going with Shula. If none of that happens, keep an eye on him.

Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan

Do not get confused, this is not Kyle Shanahan’s dad, the former Broncos’ head coach. There’s no relation there. Shanahan just had a big season helping the expected first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, win the Heisman Trophy and get the Hoosiers to the National Championship game. Before that, he played in the NFL as a tight end and spent five years at James Madison. This would be Shanahan’s first NFL job if he were get an offer. There’s bound to be some teams out there interested in interviewing him.

Patriots passing game coordinator Thomas Brown

Brown is actually someone I thought could have gotten an interview last year when he was coming off being the Bears’ interim head coach. Brown has a history with Jared Goff when he was on the Rams’ staff. Then he got a shot as an offensive coordinator during the very bad Frank Reich year in Carolina, and then was the Bears OC and interim head coach. This year, he was a big part of Drake Maye’s MVP-level season. Don’t rule this guy out.

Bills quarterback coach Ronald Curry

Ronald Curry has a history with Campbell, dating back to their time in New Orleans for four seasons. Curry has been climbing the NFL coaching ladder for some time now. He’s been a quarterbacks coach, receivers coach, and a passing game coordinator.

He’s received some offensive coordinator interviews around the league, but hasn’t nailed down a gig just yet. The Lions could be that gig. This would be a return to Detroit for Curry. He was on the Lions training camp roster in 2009.

Bears quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett

J.T. Barrett is definitely familiar with the Lions. He spent three seasons on the Lions coaching staff before heading over to the Bears with Ben Johnson. Speaking of Johnson, he gave Barrett a lot of credit in Detroit for being in charge of “specials.”

Those are the trick plays that you saw the Lions running a lot under Johnson. Barrett, along with Seth Ryan and Steve Oliver, was tasked not only with installing these plays but also with developing them.

Barrett is up and coming in the NFL, and he’s rising fast. But is it too fast to be an offensive coordinator already? I don’t know. Sometimes guys just get it. Barrett might be one of those guys.

Detroit Lions News

Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Tracker: Keeping track of interviews, news, and rumors

Tracking all of the Lions offensive coordinator news so you don’t have to

Mike Payton