Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell built one of the most successful coaching staffs in recent years, and guided the franchise to the NFC Championship Game and Divisional playoffs in consecutive seasons, but is now forced to replace both coordinators.
After former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to take the Chicago Bears head coaching job, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was hired as the New York Jets’ new head coach, Campbell promoted Detroit’s new defensive play-caller from within.
Kelvin Sheppard is now the Lions’ defensive coordinator, after previously coaching Detroit’s linebackers, which is just fine by All-Pro edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
“I don’t care who they bring in to coach us,” Hutchinson said recently. “Obviously keeping Dan there is what we all want, but coordinators, position coaches, it doesn’t matter. As long as we have the right guys in the locker room and those foundation guys on offense, on defense — you can roll anyone in there to call the plays.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to be the playmakers who are making those plays on Sundays. As long as we keep our core group and keep everyone there, we’re going to stay in this window of winning.”
Hutchinson is working his way back from fracturing his tibia and his fibula last season, and is clearly excited and optimistic about the Lions’ prospects on defense, regardless of who is calling the plays.
If the Lions can add a dynamic pass rusher such as Myles Garrett or one of the top prospects at the positions in this year’s class, it could significantly elevate Detroit’s defense and address one of the biggest needs that was exposed by the Washington Commanders in January’s playoff loss.
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