After an unforgettable 2024 campaign that saw the Detroit Lions roar to a franchise-best 15–2 record, expectations for 2025 couldn’t be higher. But while the roster remains largely intact, one major change looms over the upcoming season — the coaching staff.
Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have moved on to head coaching opportunities elsewhere, leaving head coach Dan Campbell with the task of replacing two of the biggest brains behind Detroit’s recent success.
For a team looking to not just return to the playoffs but make a real run at the Super Bowl, those changes create more than just growing pains — they inject uncertainty into what had been one of the NFL’s most stable and balanced operations.
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A New Era Begins: John Morton & Kelvin Sheppard Take the Helm
Detroit brought in former Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton to run the offense and promoted Kelvin Sheppard, previously the team’s linebackers coach, to lead the defense. Both bring intriguing qualities, but neither has called plays in these roles before. That’s not to say they’re unqualified — but succeeding two highly respected coordinators is no small task.
Morton has deep experience in the league, but turning Detroit’s top-five offense into a repeat powerhouse will take chemistry, creativity, and trust — especially with a quarterback like Jared Goff and a rising star in Jahmyr Gibbs ready to take the next step.
On the other side, Sheppard is beloved by players and has earned his shot. His familiarity with the defensive personnel could help, but now he’ll be tasked with coordinating the entire unit in a year where Detroit is hunting for a Super Bowl — not rebuilding.
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A Playoff Team With a Lot to Prove Again
The big question: Can Dan Campbell’s new-look coaching crew keep the Lions in the driver’s seat in a competitive NFC?
Detroit’s roster is still stacked — from Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Brian Branch — and that kind of talent helps ease the transition. But in the NFL, coaching edges often make the difference in tight games. The Lions found that out the hard way when injuries and poor execution led to a stunning playoff loss to Washington last season.
Now, with new voices in the headset, Detroit fans are cautiously optimistic. The potential is sky-high. But until this team proves it can thrive without Johnson and Glenn calling the shots, there’s a nervous energy surrounding Allen Park.
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What’s Next?
Training camp will provide the first real look at how Morton and Sheppard plan to shape this team in their own image. Until then, the Lions remain one of the NFL’s most fascinating teams heading into 2025 — talented, hungry, and just uncertain enough to keep things interesting.
New Coordinators Bring Uncertainty to the Detroit Lions’ 2025 Playoff Push
