The Detroit Lions have finalized their 2025 coaching staff. Here’s a closer look at the changes.

 

The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday the entirety of their 2025 coaching staff. Obviously, this year the Lions went through some pretty significant changes. Detroit lost both their offensive coordinator (Ben Johnson) and defensive coordinator (Aaron Glenn) to head coaching jobs, and both ended up taking a few Lions coaches with them.

 

So this year’s staff has a bunch of new names to it.

 

Here is the full list of the Lions’ coach staff, with new hires (or new positions for returning coaches) bolded.

 

Head Coach

Dan Campbell

Offensive staff

John Morton – Offensive Coordinator

Scottie Montgomery – Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers

David Shaw – Passing Game Coordinator

Mark Brunell – Quarterbacks

Tashard Choice – Running Backs

Tyler Roehl – Tight Ends

Seth Ryan – Assistant Tight Ends

Hank Fraley – Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line

Steve Oliver – Assistant Offensive Line

Bruce Gradkowski – Offensive Assistant

Marques Tuiasosopo – Offensive Assistant

Justin Mesa – Offensive Quality Control

The only unannounced changes here are the addition of two new assistants. Marques Tuiasosopo is a former NFL quarterback who has been coaching at the college level since 2009—most recently with Rice as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He also overlapped with new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton back during his playing days with the Raiders.

 

Justin Mesa, too has been coaching at the college level for about 15 years, serving roles from tight ends coach, wide receivers coach, and most recently as the Washington State special teams/assistant tight ends coach.

 

Also of note, Seth Ryan has moved from an assistant receivers coach to assistant tight ends.

 

Defensive staff

Kelvin Sheppard – Defensive Coordinator

Kacy Rodgers – Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line

David Corrao – Senior Defensive Assistant/Outside Linebackers

Shaun Dion Hamilton – Linebackers

Deshea Townsend – Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs

Jim O’Neil – Defensive Assistant/Safeties

August Mangin – Defensive Assistant

Caleb Collins – Defensive Assistant

Dre Thompson – WCF Minority Coaching Assistant/Defensive Quality Control

Jim O’Neil finally has “safeties” attached to his title, as that was the unit he worked with in an unofficial capacity in 2024.

 

Beyond that, there are two new assistants.

 

August Mangin has been with the 49ers since 2021. He served most recently as special teams quality control/game management specialist. Interestingly, he has a connection to new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, as they played alongside each other at LSU—Mangin as a fullback, Sheppard as a linebacker.

 

Caleb Collins also has an LSU background (defensive assistant—2018, 2019). He most recently was Baylor’s outside linebackers coach for the past four seasons.

 

Special teams staff

Dave Fipp – Special Teams Coordinator

Jett Modkins – Assistant Special Teams

Other staff

Mike Clark – Director of Sports Performance

Jill Costanza – Director of Sports Science

Josh Schuler – Head Strength & Conditioning

Corey Smith – Assistant Strength & Conditioning

 

Giambra—who is regularly mistaken for Tanner Engstrand because of a mislabeled photograph—sees a title change from Teams Operations Manager/Head Coach Administration, to Chief of Staff/Head Coach Administration.

 

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Lions’ cornerback and special teams ace Khalil Dorsey was having a strong year before an injury cut things short. Did he show enough to be brought back for 2025?

 

Next up in our Detroit Lions free agent series we have cornerback and special teams ace Khalil Dorsey.

 

Khalil Dorsey

Expectations heading into 2024

When Lions coach Dan Campbell talks about players buying into the culture that has been cultivated in Detroit, Dorsey is a great example of what he is talking about. Since signing to the practice squad back in December of 2022, Dorsey has steadily improved during his time with the organization.

 

After the 2022 season wrapped up, he signed a futures deal to stick around with the Lions. In 2023, he carved out a role on special teams—logging 295 snaps on the year, with another 80 snaps as a reserve cornerback.

 

With newcomers like cornerbacks Carlton Davis III, Amik Robertson, and rookie Terrion Arnold being added to the room, the expectation was for Dorsey to compete for a depth role at corner, while also serving as a core member of all special teams units.

 

Actual role in 2024

Note: PFF grades combine regular season and playoffs and reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position

 

14 games (1 start)— 73 defensive snaps/270 special teams snaps. 8 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 5 special teams tackles.

PFF defense grade: 47.7 (did not meet minimum snap criteria for defensive rankings)

PFF run defense grade: 54.6

PFF tackling grade: 62.9

PFF coverage grade: 46.8

PFF special teams grade: 70.2

 

Before injuries took their toll all over the Lions’ defense, Dorsey’s role was very similar to his 2023 season. In year two with Detroit, he established himself as a certified special teams demon—particularly as a gunner on the punt coverage unit.

 

“Dorsey I think is, if not the best, one of the best gunners in this league,” Campbell said this year. “He’s always causing some type of disruption or a penalty.”

 

Along with All-Pro punter Jack Fox, Dorsey and the rest of that unit were frequently able to help the Lions flip the field on opponents when they opted to kick it away. Thanks in part to Dorsey, Fox set the NFL record for net punting yard average (46.2).

 

Defensively, Dorsey reprised his depth role, and earned one start during a Week 13 win over the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, Dorsey suffered a fractured leg in Week 15 that ended his season early, and further complicated the already dreadful injury-situation for the Lions’ defense.

 

“Yeah, I mean, obviously crushed for him,” said special teams coordinator Dave Fipp. “I mean, this guy’s an incredible player for us, obviously. Just watching the film this morning, even a rep of him on punt return holding up one of their gunners, did a great job for us. But he was a great player for us all year long obviously.”

 

Outlook for 2025

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

 

Pros of re-signing

Dorsey is a proven commodity on special teams, and at 26 years old, someone who I still believe has some untapped upside as a defensive back. At the very least, if Dorsey can fully recover from the aforementioned leg injury, the Lions would know what they are getting from a productivity standpoint. A player that is a proven difference-maker on special teams, and someone that can provide quality depth at a position that seemingly always has a high attrition rate.

 

Cons of re-signing

This is another low-risk decision that Lions general manager Brad Holmes will have to make in the near-future. It is clear that the Lions like what Dorsey brings to the table, but could his roster spot go to someone who could potentially offer more on defense? These are a lot of the decisions that Holmes and his staff will have to make when filling out the last dozen or so spots on the roster.

 

Is there interest from both sides?

There hasn’t been anything said from Dorsey’s party, but given the role he has carved out for himself in Detroit, I have to imagine he would like to be back in 2025.

 

Cost?

In all likelihood, this would fall under the scope of a veteran-minimum salary, although it’s certainly possible Dorsey gets a small bump after a strong special teams year. Of course, that may depend on the status of his injury, too. Still, we’re talking somewhere likely in the $1-2 million range.

 

 

This is another player that I believe has done enough to earn a shot to compete for his prior role. Likely nothing will be guaranteed for him come August, but Dorsey worked himself from the practice squad to a core piece of this team when given the opportunity. And for a coaching staff that prides itself on competition being a major driving force behind their success, I would think a player like Dorsey will get the chance to continue his development.

 

 

The Detroit Lions are making changes to their coaching staff.

The Lions are finalizing their revamped coaching staff, with the latest move being the hiring of Tashard Choice as their new running backs coach. This was first reported by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and confirmed by others. Choice, who previously coached running backs at the University of Texas, will be joining the Lions’ staff.

In another move, according to Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network, assistant head coach Scottie Montgomery will take over as the Lions’ wide receivers coach, replacing Antwaan Randle El. Montgomery, a former wide receiver himself, has previous coaching experience in this role, having served as the wide receivers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-2012) and Duke (2013).

Lions hire Tashard Choice as their new running backs coach Choice was drafted in the fourth round by the Dallas Cowboys out of Georgia Tech in 2008 and played six seasons as a running back in the NFL with the Cowboys, Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, and Indianapolis Colts.

Choice began his coaching career in 2016 with the Cowboys, followed by two years at North Texas (first as a grad assistant, then as running backs coach), three years as running backs coach at Georgia Tech (2019-2021), and most recently, three years coaching at Texas.

At Texas, Choice coached notable players such as Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.

During his time at Georgia Tech, Choice worked with Lions’ running back Jahmyr Gibbs for two years (2020 and 2021) before Gibbs transferred to Alabama for his final season and Choice moved on to Texas.

When the Lions selected Gibbs 12th overall in 2023, Montgomery acknowledged the influence of Choice on that decision. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect not only for both programs (Gibbs) was at, but mainly the running backs coaches that had him, Tashard Choice and (Alabama RB coach Robert) Gillespie,” Montgomery said, via Pride of Detroit. “Tremendous amount of respect for the way they coach. I know both of those guys.”

Choice is expected to integrate smoothly into the Lions’ staff, as he shares a strong relationship with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.

In addition to hiring Choice, Tyler Roehl will be the new tight ends coach, replacing Steve Heiden. This move was also confirmed by Rogers.

 

 

Here are six interior defensive linemen Lions could target early on in 2025 draft.

 

Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon celebrates a sack as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.

Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon celebrates a sack as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard

 

The Detroit Lions could be on the hunt for some interior defensive line help this offseason.

 

Alim McNeill and DJ Reader are slated to be Detroit’s starters along the interior of the defensive line once again in 2025. However, there is a fair amount of uncertainty at the position behind the two of them.

 

Subsequently, Lions general manager Brad Holmes could choose to add depth to the position group via this April’s NFL Draft (April 24-26). Detroit is currently set to pick for the first time at No. 28 overall.

 

If Holmes does go this route, here are six players that he and the organization could target in the first two rounds of the draft.

 

1.) Derrick Harmon, Oregon

 

Standing in at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, Harmon had an all-around productive season in his final campaign at Oregon.

 

He amassed five sacks, seven quarterback hits and 43 QB hurries, and proved to be both a stout pass-rusher (86.2 PFF pass-rush grade) and run-defender (80.5 PFF run-defense grade). The Ducks product has the physical makeup and skillset to be an effective interior defensive lineman at the next level.

 

As Pro Football Network’s Reese Decker writes, “Derrick Harmon is an absolute powerhouse. A strong, stout, and powerful interior lineman, he possesses a solid base, explosive initial punch, and plays with a low, smooth posture that minimizes his large frame.

 

At 310 pounds, he’s surprisingly nimble, with the ability to collapse and shrink the pocket. A tenacious block-shedder and elite run defender, it’s nearly impossible to find a player of his size who moves both vertically and laterally as well as he can.”

 

Harmon would be well worth the Lions’ first-round selection at No. 28 overall.

 

2.) Kenneth Grant, Michigan

 

Checking in at 6-foot-3, 339 pounds, Grant had a solid final season at Michigan. He produced three sacks and 23 quarterback hurries, and received a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 83.7. He also graded out better as a run-defender (87.5) than as a pass-rusher (75.3).

 

The Wolverines product would be a welcomed addition to the interior of Detroit’s defensive line.

 

3.) Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

 

Nolen, measuring in at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, produced a dominant campaign in 2024 with the Rebels.

 

For starters, he was an ultra productive run defender, earning a 91.6 PFF run-defense mark. Plus, he recorded six sacks and 25 QB hurries. For his overall efforts, he notched an 88.9 grade from PFF.

 

As The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez pens, “Overall, Nolen has high-level physical traits that translate to him being a dominant run defender while also being a productive interior pass rusher on the next level.”

 

It sounds like the Ole Miss product has the perfect combination of run-stopping and pass-rushing ability to be a high-level starter at the next level. Thus, it wouldn’t hurt the Lions to give him a serious look at No. 28 overall.

 

4.) Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

 

Williams, checking in at 6-foot-3, 327 pounds, was a steady performer in his time at Ohio State. In four seasons with the Buckeyes, he racked up 137 total tackles, including 27 for loss, and 11.5 sacks. He also consistently put up positive PFF overall marks, with grades of 77.6 or higher in each of his three final seasons.

 

As The Draft Network’s Damian Parson conveys, “Tyleik Williams is a disruptive IDL prospect with great power at the point of attack. He’s a great run defender and potential impact pocket pusher.”

 

I could see Williams going late in the first round, but I think he’d likely be more of a second-round target for Detroit.

 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) is sacked by Buckeyes Sonny Styles (6) and Tyleik Williams (91) / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

5.) T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

 

Sanders, measuring out at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, put together a career-best campaign in 2024. He recorded solid marks as both a pass-rusher (81.9 grade) and a run defender (77.1 grade), and earned an overall mark of 82.4. It was good for the 31st-best grade out of 895 qualified interior defensive linemen.

 

Equipped with quick hands and an explosive first step, Sanders would be a solid find for Holmes on Day 2 of the draft.

 

6.) Deone Walker, Kentucky

 

Walker, who suited up for three seasons with the Wildcats, wasn’t as good in 2024 as he was in 2023. A first-team All-SEC selection by the AP in ‘23, the 6-foot-6, 345-pounder amassed 55 total tackles, including 12.5 for loss, eight sacks and 39 quarterback hurries as a sophomore. Additionally, he earned an 80.6 overall mark from PFF for his efforts. He followed that up with just a 71.2 overall grade this past season.

 

The Kentucky product has enough athleticism and first-step explosiveness to be an impact interior pass-rusher at the next level. I think he’d be worth a look from the Lions on Day 2 of the draft.

 

Lions projected $41 million starter predicted to leave Detroit for AFC team image

With former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn taking over as the head coach of the New York Jets, there will inevitably be some Lions players who follow him to the Big Apple.

 

One of those players could be cornerback Carlton Davis, who had a fantastic first season in Detroit before suffering a fractured jaw that ended his campaign early. Now, Davis is set to hit the free-agent market in 2025.

 

Meanwhile, the Jets are set to lose one of their starting boundary cornerbacks in D.J. Reed, who has made it quite clear that he plans on playing elsewhere this coming season.

 

“I’m ready to go to free agency, bro,” Reed said in an article done by Tyler Dunne of Go Long. “I’m ready to see what’s next for me.”

 

With the Jets needing a new boundary cornerback to pair with Sauce Gardner and Michael Carter, USA TODAY’s Nick Brinkerhoff predicts Davis will land in New York. He also predicts Reed will land in Detroit, but here’s what he said about Davis.

 

“With Reed heading out of town to Detroit in our scenario, the door is open for a new cornerback to emerge in the Meadowlands,” Brinkerhoff said. “Davis thrived in Glenn’s scheme last season in Detroit, making him the perfect player to follow the coach to the Jets.”

 

 

The Detroit Lions are expected to retain the majority of their starting lineup for the 2025 season.

The Lions will need to make decisions on pending free agents, including Levi Onwuzurike, Carlton Davis, and Kevin Zeitler.

The new NFL season commences on March 12th with the opening of free agency.

The Detroit Lions are slated to return most of their starters for the 2025 season.

 

The Lions will be able to have continuity at most starting positions because most of their key players are under contract through 2025. The Lions repeated as NFC North champions in 2024 after setting a franchise record with 15 wins in the regular season but lost in the divisional round to the Washington Commanders.

 

The Lions will have some decisions regarding pending free agents like defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, cornerback Carlton Davis and right guard Kevin Zeitler. The Lions have $46.8 million in available effective cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, but are projected to have far less money in 2026 because of contract extensions given out.

 

Here’s a look at the Lions’ roster as it stands entering the offseason, including players signed to reserve contracts for when the rosters expand for summer workouts and their list of free agents. The new NFL season officially begins March 12, when free agency opens.

 

Kalif Raymond.

Tom Kennedy (reserve/future contract; practice squad).

Ronnie Bell (reserve/future contract; practice squad).

Offensive lineman

Taylor Decker.

Graham Glasgow.

Frank Ragnow.

Penei Sewell.

Christian Mahogany.

Colby Sorsdal.

Giovanni Manu.

 

 

Seven of the nine teams they face on the road made this year’s playoffs, five made the divisional round and two teams are the Super Bowl 59 participants: the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

 

Traditionally over the past two decades, with a few exceptions, the Super Bowl winner has hosted the league’s opening kickoff game on Thursday night in Week 1.

 

So, would the NFL pick the Lions to open the 2025 season on the road at the defending champion?

 

The Lions certainly have the cache, named America’s Team once again entering the 2024-25 playoffs. They opened the 2023 season at the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs, winning 21-20. A season-opening rematch two years later, should the Chiefs be crowned for a third consecutive season Sunday, seems a bit farfetched.

 

But if the Eagles win the Super Bowl, the Lions could be a prime target. Here’s how it breaks down:

 

The Eagles have eight home games, including their usual three in the division, plus five cross-divisional games. Their home opponents:

 

Washington Commanders

Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angles Rams

As we see it, the five most likely opening games would feature, in no order, the Commanders, Lions, Bears, Broncos and Rams.

 

The Rams, whom the Eagles survived in the NFC divisional round, and the Commanders, whom the Eagles crushed in the NFC championship game, would offer immediate postseason rematches.

 

The upstart Broncos are coming off a playoff berth and the Bears have last season’s No. 1 pick at quarterback and a new head coach in Ben Johnson, whose offenses in Detroit were among the NFL’s top five each of the past three seasons.

 

And then there are the Lions, the NFC’s No. 1 seed this season and pre-playoff Super Bowl favorites. They were upset in the divisional round by the Commanders, 45-31, but should return nearly all their starters (left guard Kevin Zeitler, No. 3 receiver Tim Patrick and cornerback Carlton Davis III are the lone free-agent starters).

 

The NFL has stayed away from division rivalry games in its kickoff openers — three times it has happened since the league went to a mid-week opener in 2002 — though the Jayden Daniels-led Commanders will be one of the most sought-after teams for broadcast partners in 2025. Both the Eagles and Commanders play in the NFC East.

 

The Broncos lack star power and the Rams don’t have the same juice as the Lions and, potentially, Bears.

 

So, should the Eagles win Sunday night to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs from a Super Bowl three-peat, a matchup of the top two regular-season teams in the NFC from the previous year, who last faced each other in 2022, would be quite the potent NFL kickoff celebration.

 

The Lions last played in Philadelphia in 2019, a 27-24 Detroit win.

 

The 2025 NFL schedule will be revealed this spring, likely in mid-May.

 

Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage all year long at freep.com/sports/lions.

 

 

The Detroit Lions have become one of the most promising teams in the NFL, and after a heartbreaking playoff exit in 2024, they are determined to do whatever it takes to make a Super Bowl run in 2025. With a solid roster and significant cap space, the Lions are in an excellent position to add another star player. Enter DK Metcalf, the explosive wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks.

DK Metcalf Detroit Lions
Could Metcalf Be the Missing Link?
According to Bleacher Report, the Lions could pursue Metcalf, a player who would instantly elevate their already formidable offense. With Amon-Ra St. Brown already serving as Jared Goff’s top target, adding Metcalf would give the Lions one of the most dangerous receiving trios in the NFL, alongside Jameson Williams. Metcalf’s combination of size, speed, and athleticism would stretch opposing defenses, creating even more opportunities for Detroit’s high-powered attack.

During the 2024 season, Metcalf recorded 66 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns, despite playing in a run-heavy offense. At just 27 years old, Metcalf still has a lot of football left to play, and his ability to make game-changing plays in the air could be the missing piece the Lions need to become legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

What Would It Take to Land DK Metcalf?
The question is: what would it cost for the Lions to acquire Metcalf? The Seahawks are likely to ask for a hefty return for their star receiver, given his age and production. The Lions would probably need to part with at least one high draft pick, and potentially more, depending on how motivated Seattle is to move Metcalf. However, with Detroit’s window to win now and their aggressive approach in recent years, it’s clear why they might be willing to make such a move. The Lions have already shown they are not afraid to take risks when building their roster, and adding a player of Metcalf’s caliber would align with their bold strategy.

Why Metcalf Fits Detroit
If the Lions were to acquire Metcalf, they would boast one of the most lethal offensive units in the NFL. The thought of Metcalf lining up across from St. Brown, with Williams providing a deep threat, would keep defensive coordinators up at night. Detroit’s offense would become even harder to stop, with three dynamic playmakers capable of turning the game around at any moment.

Furthermore, Metcalf’s physicality and ability to win contested catches would complement St. Brown’s precise route-running and Williams’ speed. This trio would make it nearly impossible for defenses to focus on any one player, resulting in an offense that could match up with the NFL’s best.

Detroit Lions
The Key Question: Is It Feasible?
While the idea of acquiring Metcalf is enticing, the trade must make sense both financially and in terms of the compensation for the Seahawks. The Lions are in a position to be aggressive, but they will need to balance the cost against the potential reward. Whether or not they pull the trigger on a deal for Metcalf will depend on how much they are willing to sacrifice for one of the league’s most explosive wide receivers.

As the offseason progresses, the Lions are likely to explore a range of options to improve their roster, and trading for Metcalf could be a tantalizing move. If the Seahawks are open to negotiations, Detroit could emerge as one of the leading candidates to acquire the star receiver, potentially making them the team to beat in the NFC.