The Detroit Lions boasted the NFL’s top offense this season, showcasing a balanced attack powered by a talented roster of playmakers.
With offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaving to become the head coach of the rival Chicago Bears, one insider anticipates the Lions maintaining continuity by promoting from within their coaching staff.
Ryan Love of USA Today’s Lions Wire highlighted a shortlist of internal candidates to replace Johnson and guide Detroit’s offense in 2025. This group includes assistant coaches currently leading the team’s passing and rushing units.
Lions Could Prioritize Passing Game
As Love pointed out, passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand has been instrumental in making the Lions one of the NFL’s premier passing teams. Detroit built a dynamic air attack around quarterback Jared Goff, who arrived in a 2022 trade from the Los Angeles Rams with diminished expectations.
Love suggested that promoting Engstrand to offensive coordinator could help the Lions sustain the success of recent seasons.
“Engstrand has spent five seasons with the Lions, completing his second year in his current role. Under his guidance, the Lions’ passing game ranked second in the league in passing yards this season, helping Jared Goff emerge as a cornerstone of one of the NFL’s best offenses.
This choice feels as close as you can get to maintaining the pace Johnson set with the Lions’ offense.”
Another Leading Candidate
ESPN insider Adam Schefter identified Engstrand as a top contender for the role, alongside assistant head coach and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery.
As Love noted, Montgomery’s 18 years of coaching experience in the NFL and college ranks were pivotal in establishing the Lions’ strong ground game. This season, Detroit ranked sixth in rushing yards and tied for second in rushing touchdowns.
“He’ll be a coach Campbell can trust immediately, and his experience justifies the opportunity for a promotion,” Love wrote.
Another potential candidate is offensive line coach Hank Fraley. The Lions boast one of the NFL’s top offensive lines, and Fraley is highly respected by players and head coach Dan Campbell.
Center Frank Ragnow endorsed Fraley, highlighting his influence in shaping the Lions’ offensive success.
“I truly think he would be great,” Ragnow said, as quoted by Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit. “He’s bright, man.
He’s bright. He’s so creative in what he does with this offense. I know Ben gets a lot of the credit or whatever, but Hank, that whole staff, they’re very innovative and creative and they do a really good job.”
Room for Improvement
Despite setting a franchise record with 15 wins and securing the first No. 1 overall seed in team history, the Lions faltered in the playoffs due to offensive errors. In a loss to the Washington Commanders, Detroit committed four interceptions, including one on an ill-advised trick play that called for wide receiver Jameson Williams to pass the ball.
