The Detroit Lions head into the 2025 season facing major changes to their coaching staff. This offseason, they lost both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs, forcing the team to adjust to a new look on the sidelines.
Many believe these departures could impact Detroit's performance. That may be true, but ESPN analyst Louis Riddick argues the real concern lies elsewhere.
"The low-hanging fruit is the amount of coaching brain power that walked out of the facility, with former coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson earning head coaching jobs this offseason," Riddick wrote. "But I'll go in a different, yet familiar direction with Detroit: pass rush."
Continuing, Riddick said the Lions "were near the bottom of the league in pass rush win rate (35.4%) and sacks (37). It is an absolute must that Aidan Hutchinson returns to pre-injury form and first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams finds success at rushing inside."
Last season, this pass rush weakness hindered their ability to consistently disrupt opposing offenses. Repairing this aspect is critical, as key players like Hutchinson are recovering from injury and younger defenders are developing on the defensive line.
Head coach Dan Campbell will have to navigate the departures of Glenn and Johnson, but the defense's inability to generate consistent pressure remains the most pressing weakness in the team's championship aspirations.
To avoid a repeat of last season’s shocking divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders, the Lions must tighten up on-field execution.