Lions stars discuss how they'll handle coaching changes this upcoming season

One of the biggest questions for the Detroit Lions heading into this upcoming season is how they'll handle coaching changes.

Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepted the Chicago Bears' head-coaching job this offseason. Meanwhile, former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn became the New York Jets' head coach. 

The Lions, in turn, hired new OC John Morton and DC Kelvin Sheppard. Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown believes they're capable replacements. 

"It's not like we're going from Ben and AG to some coaches that don't know anything," the wideout told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein in a story published Monday. "Don't act like we're bringing in a scrub. These coaches know ball." 

The résumés of the new coordinators are solid. Morton was the Denver Broncos' passing game coordinator for the past two seasons, helping the team snap its eight-year playoff drought last season. Sheppard has been with the Lions since the 2021 season, serving as outside linebackers/linebackers coach.

The Lions also retained the most important member of their coaching staff, head coach Dan Campbell. The 49-year-old coach has guided Detroit to two straight NFC North titles.  

"We're going to do what we do here for Dan more than anybody else — he's the top of the brain trust," Detroit running back David Montgomery told Epstein. "Everything changes. Nothing stays the same. If it is, the complacency will kill you." 

The revamped coaching staff will create challenges for the Lions, but they likely have the talent to overcome them. In a piece published Monday, ESPN's Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder ranked Detroit's roster No. 3 in the NFL, behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens. 

The Lions won a franchise-record 15 regular-season games last season. They may not win that many games again this upcoming season. But the team should remain a Super Bowl contender without Glenn and Johnson. As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives them the fifth-best championship odds (+1100).