The Detroit Lions remain Super Bowl contenders heading into 2025. But head coach Dan Campbell and his squad face some rare challenges. There were major shakeups this offseason, even without the sudden retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow.
Detroit has the firepower on both sides of the ball to make a run. Quarterback Jared Goff was an MVP finalist in 2024. He’ll have stars like running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams by his side. On defense, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is set to return from injury.
The talent in Motor City is obvious. But it’s not the players fans should be watching closest entering the 2025 NFL season.
Lions’ HC Dan Campbell Is Central to Team’s Top 2025 Storyline
Detroit didn’t lose much star power off the roster this spring. The biggest name gone, aside from Ragnow, is cornerback Carlton Davis III, who signed with the New England Patriots after one year in Detroit.
But the coaching staff took a big hit. Both coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, left for head coaching jobs. Assistants like Tanner Engstrand, Terrell Williams and Antwaan Randle El also left the building.
That meant a major staff overhaul for Campbell. Former Stanford head coach David Shaw, former Denver Broncos assistant John Morton and former Buccaneers assistant Kacy Rodgers were among those hired to rebuild Detroit’s coaching group.
#Lions announce 2025 coaching staff
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 18, 2025
This group now faces major pressure to elevate the team. And according to PFSN, Campbell’s ability to manage this new-look staff is the main storyline to watch for the Lions in 2025.
“Both of the Detroit Lions’ coordinators from last year left for head coaching jobs, and they took several assistants with them. The Lions still have a loaded roster, but minicamp will show how well the new coaches can keep things on track,” PFSN NFL Draft analyst Jacob Infante wrote.
Campbell has some familiarity with the replacements. Morton, the new offensive coordinator, was on the Lions’ staff in 2022. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was promoted from within.
That continuity helps Detroit stay grounded as it heads into the season. But Campbell isn’t managing the transition alone. Goff is doing what he can to support the incoming coaches and keep things running smoothly.
“Keep putting more on me is what I try to tell them,” Goff told reporters Friday, via MLive’s Jacob Richman. “Load me up with whatever it takes. I feel like I’m at the point in my career where I can handle quite a bit above the ears and take on a lot of that role, and they’ve given it to me.”
The Lions have their eyes on the Super Bowl in 2025. The roster has the talent to get there. Now it’s on the coaches to put the pieces together and guide this group to the next level.