Discussion: Who should be the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator?

The Detroit Lions’ 2025 coaching staff is in the very early stages of being rebuilt. As former Lions coaches Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson build their respective staffs in their new homes, Detroit has seen several key personnel leave this week. In addition to Glenn and Johnson, the Lions have lost assistant QB coach JT Barrett, WR coach Antwaan Randle EL and DL coach Terrell Williams. With Glenn still building his roster, more attrition could be on the horizon

But in my opinion, no substitute coach is more important than offensive coordinator. A large majority of the Lions’ success over the past three seasons has been behind their top-five ranked offense. While Ben Johnson is far from the only reason Detroit has maintained one of the best offenses in football over the past three seasons, it’s important for the Lions to make sure that side of the football doesn’t take a significant step back.

So today’s question is:

Who will be the Lions’ next offensive coordinator?

My answer: It is clear that a few candidates to take over that job are no longer options. Randle El is in Chicago now, while offensive line coach Hank Fraley stays – but with the title of running game coordinator added.

Despite that, Detroit still has a few in-house candidates. Assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery is extremely well respected and has the leadership qualities for a promotion. QB coach Mark Brunell — while getting some attention for other jobs — would help the Lions continue to keep quarterback Jared Goff comfortable. And passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand has been the guy behind the scenes with his hands all over the game planning and development of the scheme.

There are also a bunch of exciting external candidates who were run down by our own Erik Schlitt. Rams TE coach/pass game coordinator Nick Caley is probably my favorite on the list, although some consider him the frontrunner for Aaron Glenn’s offensive coordinator role with the Jets.

Ultimately, though, this team wants consistency with previous years. They want someone who Goff is comfortable with and who aligns their vision of the offense with head coach Dan Campbell, and they would even prefer the terminology to be the same or similar. If that is the case, I see no candidate who is better qualified than Engstrand. He’s followed the exact same path Johnson did on his way to becoming the Lions’ offensive coordinator, and it’s clear from his career trajectory that the Lions value him.

“He brings a lot more ideas to the passing game in general,” Campbell said shortly after Engstrand’s promotion to passing coordinator. “And I think really, from the gameplan aspect where you really see it, as well as man, the details of the routes with the receivers, the tight ends, the backs, because he works in those spaces as well. And then we go out, we do rundowns , we practice, and then he has a hand in it all, too. So I just – I see a lot of growth, and if you ask me, what I’ve really seen over a three-year period is the growth in vision and game plan. “

Someone who has a hand in every position group, is critical in weekly game plans for the passing offense, and has consistently received promotions every step of the way? Find me a better candidate.

What do you think? Share your pick for the Lions’ next offensive coordinator in the comments section below.