The Detroit Lions are promoting linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator, replacing Aaron Glenn, who left to become the New York Jets

The Detroit Lions have gone through a brain drain within the coaching staff in the aftermath of their season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round. Since that defeat, Ben Johnson has been hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears and Aaron Glenn has inked a deal to lead the New York Jets,

The New England Patriots are not the only team in the AFC East hiring a new head coach this offseason. The New York Jets are in the same boat, and on Thursday filled their vacancy: Aaron Glenn, former defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions,

With Aaron Glenn off to coach the New York Jets, Dan Campbell will be tasked with finding a new defensive coordinator for the first time in his tenure. While there are several intriguing candidates internally, headlined by linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard, the Lions could look externally as well.

The Lions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now head coach of the Chicago Bears, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, the next New York Jets coach, and will spend the first part of the 2025 offseason looking for replacements.