The Detroit Lions’ season came to an unexpectedly early and disastrous end when they lost in blowout fashion to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs this past weekend.
Now they have lost their offensive and defensive coordinators — Ben Johnson has left to become the Chicago Bears’ new head coach, while Aaron Glenn will be the New York Jets’ head coach.
Some may feel their departures will have a negative impact on the Lions moving forward, but head coach Dan Campbell sounds determined to fill those positions in a way that will prevent his team from missing a beat, per Brad Galli.
Dan Campbell explained how he is prepared to add new Lions coordinators.
“That’s my job, is to replenish and find the next man up,” he said Monday. “Is it a loss? Absolutely.. but yet, man, we move forward, this train rolls on and I’ll find the next best guys for us.” pic.twitter.com/1KZ9ZDso37
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 22, 2025
All three men have done a remarkable job in rebuilding a Lions franchise that was bad or mediocre for some 30 years.
Until last season, the Lions hadn’t won a playoff game or reached the NFC Championship Game since the 1991 campaign, despite having some very talented players during that time, including legendary running back Barry Sanders and star wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
But in 2022, they won eight of their last 10 games.
At that point, it was clear that Detroit had been fixed, and after nearly reaching last season’s Super Bowl, they were the favorites in the minds of many to win it all this year.
They do have reasons to be hopeful for next season — defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, who has quickly become a star, should be back after fracturing his leg a few months ago, and 23-year-old wide receiver Jameson Williams has been ascending quickly himself.
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