In the NFL, coaching changes can shape the rise or fall of entire franchises. When a team loses multiple key figures in quick succession, the ripple effects can be enormous. For a franchise that had finally built “Super Bowl or bust” expectations, what happens if the mastermind behind a creative offense, a respected defensive leader, and the veteran anchor of the offensive line all exit within months of each other?
That’s exactly the situation facing the 2025 Detroit Lions. The team opted for continuity instead of outside hires, promoting Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator and bringing back John Morton as offensive coordinator after a prior stint in 2022. This means they’ll move forward without proven replacements for Ben Johnson, now leading the rival Chicago Bears, and Aaron Glenn, who took over the New York Jets. The NFC has only grown tougher in recent years, and Detroit’s schedule doesn’t leave much room for growing pains. Replicating the offensive firepower that energized fans won’t be easy.
