Lions Respond to Coach Losses With Huge Hire on Thursday
By Cem Yolbulan

The Detroit Lions have seen their fair share of coaches depart this offseason. Starting with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson earlier in the week, the Lions also lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and defensive line coach Terrell Williams immediately after their disappointing defeat at the hands of the Washington Commanders.
However, head coach Dan Campbell and the organization didn't waste any time finding the right replacements for the staff. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Lions have a new defensive line coach: the Bucs' run game coordinator and d-line coach Kacy Rodgers.
Lions News: Detroit Hires Kacy Rodgers as New Defensive Line Coach
#Bucs run game coordinator/defensive line Kacy Rodgers is expected to join the #Lions as defensive line coach, per sources.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 23, 2025
Detroit is replacing Terrell Williams, who became Patriots DC. Rodgers has been with Todd Bowles since 2015. pic.twitter.com/QgYcDVSD45
Williams was announced as the Patriots' defensive coordinator on Wednesday. The Lions acted quickly to hire one of the more sought-after defensive line coaches in the league.
Rodgers previously worked as a defensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins before being hired as the New York Jets defensive coordinator in 2015. Rodgers' tenure in New York didn't go according to plan as he struggled to turn the Jets' defense into a respectable unit in his four seasons there.
When Todd Bowles left the Jets to become the Buccaneers defensive coordinator, Rodgers followed him to Tampa Bay. When Bowles was promoted to head coach before the 2022 season, Rodgers was named run game coordinator, while Bowles retained defensive play-calling duties. The Bucs didn't hire an official defensive coordinator, making Rodgers, along with pass game coordinator Larry Foote, the top defensive assistant coaches in Tampa Bay.
For the past two seasons, the Bucs had a top-ten run defense in the league, both in terms of yards and points.
Rodgers now joins the Lions' defense, which needs serious improvement. After being decimated by injuries all season, Detroit's defense completely fell apart in the postseason.
Getting their best players healthy will certainly provide a boost next season but the new defensive coaching staff will still have their hands full.
The Lions have yet to hire a new defensive coordinator but bringing in one of the most experienced defensive line coaches in the league is a good start. Whether Campbell goes with an internal hire or looks elsewhere to find his next defensive leader remains to be seen.
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