Detroit Lions set to keep Tanner Engstrand with the final offensive coordinator post filled.
Tanner Engstrand will remain the Lions’ passing game coordinator next season, as the final NFL offensive coordinator post has been filled.
For a brief moment, it appeared that the Detroit Lions could lose both of their coordinators to head coaching positions and at least one assistant to a promotion somewhere. Tanner Engstrand, the passing game coordinator, was linked to three offensive coordinator jobs (New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks).
The first two positions were filled within the previous week or so, with new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald currently putting together his staff. Late Friday night, Ryan Grubb was appointed as the new offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, filling every NFL head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator position.
Engstrand will return as the Lions’ passing game coordinator in 2024, barring any unforeseen circumstances. If offensive coordinator Ben Johnson quits for a head coaching position a year from now, Engstrand is the top internal candidate to succeed him.
Detroit Lions are surely in rare air keeping all of their top assistant coaches
The Lions are making changes to their coaching staff, with Terrell Williams taking over as defensive line coach and Deshea Townsend becoming cornerbacks coach/defensive pass game coordinator. The squad has yet to make any official announcements, but they will once the complete 2024 coaching staff is in place.
One of the costs of team success, such as the Lions’ this season, is that other teams seek to capitalize on that success by attempting to recruit assistant coaches. Coordinators, like Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, have emerged as top head coaching prospects. Other assistants, such as Engstrand and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, are considered for promotions elsewhere.
Without knowing the specific numbers, it must be unusual for a conference semifinalist to not lose any of its best assistant coaches to another team (for whatever reason). That demonstrates Dan Campbell’s assistants’ dedication to him, as well as coaches’ desire to remain in Detroit for as long as possible without jeopardizing their future prospects.
Update, 4:10 p.m. ET: The Lions will lose one assistant coach. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, defensive backs coach Brian Duker is departing to work for the Miami Dolphins.
