Change is part of the NFL, but not every team handles it well. Coming off back-to-back playoff runs, the Detroit Lions are entering the 2025 season without two of their most respected coordinators—Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. Johnson took his offensive brilliance to Chicago to coach the Bears, while Glenn packed up for a new role with the Jets. For many franchises, losing both coordinators in one offseason could be a recipe for chaos.
But not in Detroit—at least not according to longtime team broadcaster and FOX 2 sports director Dan Miller.
Speaking on the “Ozzy and Keats” podcast, hosted by former Red Wings star Chris Osgood and veteran broadcaster John Keating, Miller made it clear he isn’t worried. Why? Because both replacements—John Morton on offense and Kelvin Sheppard on defense—already have deep roots in the Lions locker room.
Morton was part of Detroit’s staff during their 2022 offensive explosion, helping build a scheme that turned Jared Goff and the Lions into one of the league’s most feared scoring units. That familiarity, Miller said, eliminates a lot of guesswork that usually comes with coaching changes.
“You may think you know what you’re getting in a coach, but it’s how they respond to tough moments, how they connect with players—that’s what really matters,” Miller said. “And Morton already has that with Jared.”
The same logic applies to the defensive side, where Sheppard was promoted from linebackers coach. According to Miller, Sheppard’s not a mystery figure to the players—he’s been front and center in team meetings and earned their trust during his time working under Glenn.
“There won’t be any surprises,” Miller noted. “The players know what he expects and how he operates.”
While national analysts are quick to drop the Lions down preseason power rankings, Miller believes those takes ignore the bigger picture—this is a team built on continuity, chemistry, and leadership. And that foundation, he says, won’t crack just because a couple of familiar faces left town.
“No Surprises”: Why Dan Miller Believes the Lions Will Be Just Fine Without Johnson and Glenn
