First came the wave of departures to Ben Johnson's Bears. Now, to Aaron Glenn's Jets.
According to Tom Pelissero, Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden is leaving Detroit to become offensive line coach of the Jets, who hired Glenn last week as their new head coach.
It's an interesting move for Heiden, a former longtime NFL tight end who's coached the position for the past six seasons between the Lions and the Cardinals. He did serve as assistant offensive line coach in Arizona for one season.
Detroit's tight ends thrived under Heiden, who joined Dan Campbell's staff in 2023. Sam LaPorta was a Pro Bowler as a rookie and had another strong season in year two, and Brock Wright became a key cog in the Lions' offense who earned a three-year contract with the team last offseason.
Campbell and the Lions will likely have to look externally to replace Heiden; they do not have an assistant tight ends coach on staff.
Heiden might not be the only coach the Lions lose to the Jets. Passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand is "the favorite" to become Glenn's offensive coordinator, per Pelissero, with Glenn "building out his own version of Detroit’s offense in New York."
Engstrand was a candidate to replace Johnson as offensive coordinator in Detroit, but Campbell opted for a more experienced hire in John Morton. The 42-year-old Engstrand has played an important role in the resurgence of Jared Goff, taking on more duties the past two seasons under Johnson.
A rising coach in the industry, Engstrand has climbed the ladder in Detroit after joining the organization five years ago as an offensive assistant. He would be a significant loss to the Lions' offensive operation.
Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell has also been rumored to be a target of the Jets.
Johnson plucked two coaches from Campbell's staff after he became head coach of the Bears: wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett. Randel El added assistant head coach to his title in Chicago, while Barrett is head quarterbacks coach.
The Lions also lost defensive line coach Terrell Williams to the defensive coordinator job with Mike Vrabel and the Patriots.
So far, Campbell has seen six coaches poached from his staff after the Lions went 15-2 this season, with potentially more on the horizon.