Lions Bid Farewell to Five Assistant Coaches in a Week: What It Means for the Team’s Future

Last year, the Lions had a tough loss in the NFC Championship, blowing a 17-point lead at halftime. Coach Dan Campbell warned the team, “This may have been our only shot.” A year later, after another playoff exit, it’s clear the Lions need to regroup to avoid a missed opportunity.

Since their playoff loss to the Commanders, the Lions have seen significant changes. According to Dave Birkett from the Detroit Free Press, they have lost five assistant coaches in just six days. Key departures include offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El.

While losing these coaches is tough, the Lions had a year to prepare for possible changes. They won’t be caught off guard as they look to fill these roles.

The upcoming season, however, poses new challenges. Will the team improve? They have talent, but injuries hurt their chances last year. After waiting a long time to compete, the Lions now face the reality of maintaining that success.

The team has 22 players who may hit free agency. Other teams, especially Johnson’s Bears and Glenn’s Jets, might want to snag some of them.

On the bright side, the Lions still have key players like quarterback Jared Goff, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and standout receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson will lead a defense that’s expected to improve.

Keeping this roster intact while reshaping the coaching staff is critical for the Lions, who finished strong with a 15-2 record but fell short in the playoffs. They will also face a challenging schedule in 2025, including 11 games against teams that made the playoffs last year. Matchups with their rivals and a trip to Cincinnati will also test their mettle.

As they prepare for the next season, the question remains: Can they turn the page to a more successful postseason run?