Report: Detroit Lions Hire Defensive Passing Game Coordinator

Dan Campbell has made another addition to his coaching staff. 

The Detroit Lions are hiring Deshea Townsend as their new passing game coordinator, according to reports. Townsend was most recently the cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The title of passing game coordinator has no bearing on Tanner Engstrand, who has that role on the offensive side under coordinator Ben Johnson. It is expected that Townsend will work on the defensive side alongside Aaron Glenn. 

The Jaguars elected to part ways with their entire defensive staff following the 2023 season, and Townsend was let go as a result. He has NFL coaching experience with the Cardinals, Titans, Giants and Bears along with his recent stint in Jacksonville.

He also spent three seasons at Mississippi State as the cornerbacks coach from 2013-15. 

Townsend also fits Detroit's staff mold as a former player. He spent 13 years in the NFL, including 12 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as a cornerback. While with the Steelers, he won two Super Bowls. 

He recorded 21 career interceptions and scored three touchdowns. Townsend was teammates with current Lions' wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El from 2002-05. Together, they won Super Bowl XL, a game that was ironically played at Ford Field in Detroit. 

The Lions struggled against the pass in 2023, finishing 29th in passing yards against. The secondary had a difficult time controlling high-profile receivers, as Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Puka Nacua and Mike Evans all posted 100-plus yard games against Detroit's defense late in the year. 

This marks the second hire that the Lions have made this offseason. Campbell hired Terrell Williams, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, to be the team's new defensive line coach and run game coordinator.