With two key vacancies on their defensive coaching staff, Dan Campbell and the Lions are turning to the Buccaneers for help.
Kacy Rodgers, who has served as the Buccaneers’ defensive line coach for the last six seasons and their run game coordinator for three, is reportedly joining the Lions as their new defensive line coach. He will take over for Terrell Williams, who left this week to become the defensive coordinator for the Patriots.
Over the past two years, Detroit has boasted a top-five run defense in terms of yards allowed. Rodgers, who was named NFL Defensive Line Coach of the Year in 2020, is well-positioned to maintain that success. During his tenure with Tampa, he helped the team achieve a top-five run defense in both of the past two seasons and in five of his six years as their defensive line coach.
Rodgers, 55, worked alongside Campbell on the Dolphins from 2011 to 2014, where Rodgers coached the defensive line and Campbell coached the tight ends. Rodgers also served as the defensive line coach for the Cowboys during Campbell’s time there as a player in 2005.
Campbell is also considering the Buccaneers for a potential replacement for Aaron Glenn. Reports suggest the Lions are interviewing Bucs passing game coordinator and inside linebackers coach Larry Foote for their defensive coordinator position.
A Detroit native, former Michigan star, and ex-Lion, Foote has been part of the Bucs coaching staff since 2019. Under his guidance, Tampa has ranked in the top 10 in sacks during each of those six seasons and had a top-10 scoring defense in three of the last five seasons.
Foote, 44, was an All-American linebacker at Michigan before playing 14 seasons in the NFL and winning two Super Bowls with the Steelers. He also earned a Super Bowl title as a coach with the Buccaneers.
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Lions star has funny response to Ben Johnson accepting Bears head coach position
The Chicago Bears have appointed Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, as their new head coach. Johnson, who had spent three seasons in Detroit, turned the Lions’ offense into one of the most explosive in the league.
At 38, Johnson remains in the NFC North and faces the challenge of reviving a Bears team that has endured four straight losing seasons and has not won a playoff game in 14 years.
Detroit’s loss of Johnson is a significant setback, as the former North Carolina quarterback has been regarded as one of the top offensive coordinators in recent seasons. Additionally, his move to a division rival is a blow to the Lions, a fact that running back David Montgomery expressed displeasure over.
After the Bears confirmed Johnson’s hiring on Tuesday, Montgomery humorously reacted on Instagram by posting a picture of himself staring blankly at an image of Johnson. The photo originally came from one of quarterback Jared Goff’s interviews in November, with Montgomery replacing Goff’s face with Johnson’s on his Instagram story.
Montgomery, who played for the Bears from 2019 to 2022, thrived in Johnson’s offense over the past two seasons. The 27-year-old recorded over 1,000 scrimmage yards and double-digit touchdowns in both 2023 and 2024, forming a formidable running back duo with Jahmyr Gibbs.
Replacing Johnson will be a tough challenge for Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who also faces the possibility of losing defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. The former NFL defensive back is a strong candidate for head coaching positions with either the New York Jets or New Orleans Saints.
