By Moses Joshua 
After a season that stalled far too often, Detroit’s search for a new offensive coordinator could define whether 2026 becomes a rebound year or another missed opportunity.
The Lions didn’t miss the playoffs in 2025 because the cupboard was bare. They missed it because the offense lost its rhythm, its edge, and too often its identity. When Dan Campbell stepped in to call plays midseason, it was a signal that the system needed more than a tweak — it needed a rethink.
Now that John Morton is out, Detroit has a rare chance to reshape the offense with a proven outside voice. Here are five candidates who make real sense if the Lions are serious about turning the page.
Kevin Stefanski: The Stabilizer With Championship DNA
If Detroit wants instant credibility, Kevin Stefanski is the name at the top of the list.
The former Browns head coach didn’t just survive in Cleveland — he thrived there for stretches, leading the franchise to multiple playoff appearances and two 11-win seasons. Before that, he was the architect of Minnesota’s run-heavy, play-action system that made life easier on quarterbacks and punishing on defenses.
Why Stefanski fits: Detroit’s offense needs structure as much as it needs imagination. Stefanski’s schemes emphasize timing, balance, and quarterback efficiency — precisely the areas that slipped in 2025. Bringing him in wouldn’t feel like a reset. It would feel like a statement.
Brian Daboll: A Fresh Voice With Familiar Roots
Brian Daboll’s Giants tenure ended poorly, but his résumé is too strong to ignore. From shaping Josh Allen into an MVP candidate in Buffalo to winning Super Bowls in New England, Daboll’s offenses have always adapted to personnel rather than forcing square pegs into round holes.
Why Daboll fits: His long-standing relationship with Campbell could make the partnership seamless. Detroit doesn’t need a coordinator who will clash over philosophy — it needs someone who can challenge the head coach without fracturing the locker room. Daboll has walked that line before.
J.T. Barrett: The Internal-External Hybrid
Barrett isn’t a household name, but he may be the most intriguing developmental option on the list.
A former college star quarterback, he already understands Detroit’s culture after spending three seasons on the Lions staff before joining Ben Johnson in Chicago. Players trust him. Coaches respect him.
Why Barrett fits: He brings continuity without stagnation. For a locker room that still believes in its core, Barrett offers familiarity paired with modern quarterback-first concepts — a low-risk hire with sneaky high upside.
Todd Monken: The Home Run Swing
If Todd Monken becomes available after Baltimore’s coaching shakeup, Detroit should be on the phone immediately.
Monken’s offenses don’t just score — they attack. He blends spread concepts with physical football and isn’t afraid to dictate terms to opposing defenses.
Why Monken fits: Campbell wants energy and adaptability. Monken brings both, with a track record of turning talent into production. If the Lions want to stop surviving games and start overwhelming opponents again, Monken is the boldest move they could make.
Ronald Curry: The Builder for the Next Era
Ronald Curry has quietly become one of the most respected quarterback developers in the league. Currently with Buffalo, he’s worked as a receivers coach, passing game coordinator, and quarterbacks coach — and he already knows Campbell from their shared New Orleans days.
Why Curry fits: Detroit doesn’t just need better plays — it needs better development. Curry’s background in teaching and system-building could help maximize Jared Goff now while grooming the next generation behind him.
Final Thoughts: A Hire That Will Echo for Years
This isn’t just another coordinator search. It’s a referendum on the direction of the franchise.
Detroit can play it safe, or it can aim higher. Whether it’s the proven steadiness of Stefanski, the creative spark of Monken, or the developmental promise of Curry or Barrett, this decision will shape how the Lions offense looks — and feels — in 2026.
The Lions don’t need a patch.
They need a reset that finally turns potential into production.