The Detroit Lions are in the market for a new defensive coordinator after Aaron Glenn’s departure, and they have their eyes on an intriguing candidate with a proven championship pedigree. Former NFL linebacker Larry Foote, a two-time Super Bowl champion, is reportedly among the contenders for the position.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Foote is expected to interview with the Lions to discuss taking over as defensive coordinator.
Currently serving as the linebackers coach and pass game coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Foote brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach.
He has been with the Buccaneers since 2019 and was instrumental in shaping their defense, which played a critical role in their Super Bowl LV victory. Prior to his tenure in Tampa, Foote spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Arizona Cardinals.
As a player, Foote enjoyed a successful 13-season NFL career. While he had a brief stint with the Lions in 2009, the majority of his playing days were spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He was a key contributor to their defense during their Super Bowl triumphs in 2005 and 2008, earning a reputation as a dependable and intelligent player. A native of Detroit, Foote’s connection to the city runs deep.
He played his college football at the University of Michigan, where he established himself as a standout linebacker before being selected by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft.
The Lions’ coaching staff is undergoing significant changes under head coach Dan Campbell. In addition to Glenn, who was named the head coach of the New York Jets, the Lions also lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who took the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job, and another key staff member.
As Campbell works to assemble a revamped coaching team, Foote’s experience and ties to Detroit could make him an ideal candidate to bring fresh leadership to the Lions’ defense.
With a combination of local roots and championship expertise, Foote may be exactly what the Lions need to elevate their defense to the next level.
