Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lions reportedly hiring new passing game coordinator with connections to coaching staff

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Payton | Last updated 2/8/24

The Detroit Lions aren't done hiring new coaches. Last week they hired Terrell Williams away from the Titans to be their new defensive line coach. This week they've reportedly made another hire for a new passing game coordinator.

The #Lions are hiring Deshea Townsend as their new passing game coordinator, source tells @BleacherReport.

Townsend, a two-time Super Bowl winning player in Pittsburgh, was previously with the #Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/LAzPaoJFF0
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 8, 2024

Townsend has some connection with the Lions coaching staff. Townsend was a long time teammate of Lions receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El in Pittsburgh. The two won a Super Bowl together in 2006.

Townsend retired from the NFL in 2010 and has held coaching positions with the Cardinals, Mississippi State, Titans, Giants, Bears and Jaguars. He was most recently the passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach for the Jaguars.

There's no word at this time what this means for current passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand. He did have interviews to be the offensive coordinator of three different teams this offseason. He has not yet been hired away. He could possibly still stay on.

Update: Per Bleacher Report, this will have no effect on Tanner Engstrand and Townsend will be on the defensive side of things.

For clarity, Deshea Townsend is a defensive coach, so his hiring has no bearing on Tanner Engstrom’s position in Detroit. https://t.co/NBy2lfWWNU
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 8, 2024