The Detroit Lions' latest interviewee in their offensive coordinator search is one with a proven track record and MVP ties. Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, "The Lions and Commanders will interview Tee Martin for their open OC positions next week. Martin has been the Ravens QBs coach the past three seasons - helping propel Lamar Jackson to the 2023 NFL MVP. A well-respected offensive mind, he has done extensive work for Baltimore’s passing game as a whole."
Of note, the Washington Commanders have hired David Blough since Schultz's report, someone the Lions also had their eyes on as a potential OC hire, meaning Martin is an even stronger candidate for Detroit moving forward.
Does Schultz's wording mean that Lamar Jackson is a candidate to follow Martin wherever he goes? Absolutely not. Jackson has a no-trade clause and could choose his next destination. Jackson won't want a team with offensive line problems, which would be facing a decade-long postseason drought if not for two quick playoff eliminations in recent years.
Not to mention, Jared Goff also has a no-trade clause. Unless both players waive their respective clauses to facilitate a one-for-one swap, with other pieces also heading to the Baltimore Ravens, there are far too many moving parts for this.
This isn't about trading Goff and finding his replacement. It's about getting the best out of him again, since he had great numbers in 2025, but often shrank when the moment called for him to rise to the occasion.
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Dan Campbell has too much on his plate to be worried about play-calling. John Morton's inability to hold down the fort with offensive play-calling led to Campbell overextending himself in 2025, and Goff ultimately suffered.
Ben Johnson isn't walking back through that door, but Martin doing it instead would be a major win for the franchise. Respectability and finding someone who can stay in the seat for years, like Martin just did in Baltimore, is the best way to keep Johnson's name out of the minds of Lions fans.
Perhaps there's a chance the Lions could promote Mark Brunell and hire Martin to be QB coach, since the one knock on the latter is his play-calling. Either way, getting Martin in the building would immediately help Goff and whoever else Brad Holmes fills the QB room with this offseason, since Kyle Allen could ultimately not return as the primary backup.