The Detroit Lions have experienced significant changes to their coaching staff following their playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. The team lost coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching roles, and several position coaches moved on to other teams.
For Lions head coach Dan Campbell, the path to getting Detroit back to the top of the NFC will be tough with a revamped coaching staff. However, the silver lining for Campbell is his internal hire of Kelvin Sheppard as the new defensive coordinator. The Lions will also retain Hank Fraley, who has been promoted to run game coordinator.
Along with these moves, Campbell will keep his assistant special teams coach for now.
On Monday, the San Francisco 49ers revealed that Brant Boyer would be their new special teams coordinator. According to Pride of Detroit, Lions assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins had interviewed for the position. Modkins, who has served as the assistant special teams coordinator in Detroit for four years, has surprisingly not been in high demand during this coaching cycle. Given that the Lions lost Glenn and Johnson to head coaching roles, it’s surprising neither of them took Modkins with them.
Johnson’s special teams coordinator in Chicago will be Richard Hightower, who has been with the Bears for four years. Meanwhile, Glenn has not yet filled the special teams coordinator position, although Chris Banjo is reportedly a top contender.
If Modkins doesn’t land a special teams coordinator role elsewhere this offseason, the Lions are happy to keep him. Modkins and Dave Fipp have done an excellent job overseeing Detroit’s special teams, which features one of the best kickers in the league, Jake Bates. Bates, a former star in the UFL, made a smooth transition to the NFL, converting 89.7 percent of his field goals (26-of-29), including 6-of-8 from over 50 yards. Modkins and Fipp have been credited for Bates’ success.
After losing key coaches in such a short span, Campbell will likely appreciate the stability that comes with having some continuity heading into next season.
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Three Detroit Lions Make 2025’s Top 100 Free Agent List
With the Detroit Lions’ season ending prematurely, they now face the task of evaluating expiring player contracts. Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlights three players they should prioritize keeping.
Carlton Davis III, Cornerback
Carlton Davis III ranked among the top 25 most valuable free agents. A former second-round pick, Davis joined the Lions in the offseason after spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first season with Detroit, Davis recorded 56 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions in just 13 games, as he missed time due to a fractured jaw sustained during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Kevin Zeitler, Offensive Guard
Kevin Zeitler, ranked six spots below Davis III, is an appealing free agent. The veteran guard and former first-round pick had one of his best seasons with Detroit, finishing with a pass-block rate of 78.8% and a run-block rate of 87.2%. Though Zeitler is approaching the end of his career, he still provides considerable value to any team.
Levi Onwuzirke, Defensive Tackle
Levi Onwuzirke, ranked 40th on PFF’s list of most valuable free agents, has shown promise but struggled with injuries throughout his four seasons in Detroit. During the 2024 season, Onwuzirke posted 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. If he can stay healthy and have a breakout season, Onwuzirke could become an important contributor for any team.
