The Detroit Lions closed out their 2025-26 season with a win over their former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears on the road with a 19-16 final tally. But, since the Lions are out of the postseason, that win means little, and they’re back to the drawing board, looking for a new offensive coordinator.
The Detroit Lions released their one-year offensive coordinator John Morton just days after their season ended, on January 6, and they’ve been focused on finding a replacement ever since. Some of the names they’re interviewing makes sense, and others, well, don’t.
“All right, good win by the guys. Proud of them,” Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters after the Lions’ season-ending win over the Bears. “That’s the way to finish. I really didn’t expect anything different out of them just knowing the guys that we had I tell you what. But nonetheless I’m still proud of them because it’s not always the easiest thing.”
He added, “You get eliminated and it’s hard for some guys. You’re back out in the elements and with a team that’s already clinched. But our guys fought, man, from the beginning even when they came back, we were up two scores, they came back, our guys didn’t bat an eye and we were able to finish it out. Really one of the best games we’ve played as far as complementary football. That’s really what, a lot of really good performances by a lot of guys.”
Detroit Lions Interviewing Another Offensive Coordinator Candidate
Listen, by the time a guy starts coaching at the NFL level, he’s solid. But, one of the names on the Detroit Lions’ list of candidates for offensive coordinator is a bit of a surprise.
According to multiple reports, including ESPN and the NFL Network, the Lions plan to interview Mike Kafka, who just wrapped up the season as interim coach of the New York Giants. The Lions haven’t publicly stated that they’re interviewing him, so it’s a bit of a secret candidate.
Now, Kafka was given a difficult task, since the Giants were on a downward spiral when he took over in Week 11, but the team went 2-5 under Kafka, who called the plays.
Plus, Kafka has no real connection to Campbell. He did at one time work with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid, but that was forever ago. Is this really the guy for Detroit?
A Candidate That Makes Sense for the Detroit Lions
On a different note, the Lions are also interviewing Mike McDaniel, formerly the head coach of the Miami Dolphins head coach, according to a report from The Detroit News.
So, why does this make sense? McDaniel is known as one of the sharpest offensive minds in the league. He coached the Miami Dolphins for four years and was 35-35 during his time there, including two playoff losses. So, while that’s not the best record, he would have a solid offense at the Detroit Lions, and that helps.
The Lions are interviewing McDaniel on Tuesday, January 13, according to reports. So, we should find out sooner rather than later if he wants to trade his Miami kakis for Detroit snow pants.
Lions Interviewing Secret Candidate for Coach Opening