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5 candidates to replace Anthony Lynn as Lions offensive coordinator

By Brad Berreman

ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN - MAY 27: Anthony Lynn Offensive Coordinator of the Detroit Lions goes through the afternoon drills during the practice session on May 27, 2021 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN - MAY 27: Anthony Lynn Offensive Coordinator of the Detroit Lions goes through the afternoon drills during the practice session on May 27, 2021 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Credit: Mark Brown/Getty Images
Credit: Mark Brown/Getty Images /

4. Zac Robinson, Los Angeles Rams assistant quarterbacks coach

The Lions have shown some propensity to pluck from the Rams–general manager, quarterback, etc. Robinson is in his third season on the Rams’ coaching staff, and his second as assistant quarterbacks coach with a season as assistant wide receivers coach in between. The former Oklahoma State quarterback is on the coaching ladder under Sean McVay’s wing, while working with Matthew Stafford this year.

It would be quite a jump from assistant quarterbacks coach with three years of total coaching experience to an offensive coordinator post. But the Lions should leave no stones unturned when they look to replace Lynn.

3. Mike Kafka, Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator

Kafka is on the rise, in his fifth season on the Chiefs’ coaching staff and his second as passing game coordinator as well as quarterbacks coach. On his list of young coaches to watch this year, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero featured the former Northwestern signal caller.

"A fourth-round pick by Andy Reid’s Eagles in 2010 who bounced around the NFL as a quarterback for parts of six seasons, Kafka possesses innate leadership traits and has earned a strong reputation as a QB tutor since reuniting with Reid in Kansas City as a quality control coach in 2017. He was promoted when the Bears hired then-Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy in 2018 (the same year Patrick Mahomes took over as QB1), and the plan has been for Kafka to move up again to OC when Eric Bieniemy gets his head-coaching shot after so many interviews in recent years. That still hasn’t happened, and Kafka now is on the head-coaching radar himself. His Chiefs contract is also set to expire after the season, and he could end up elsewhere as a play-calling OC in 2022 if a head job doesn’t materialize."

Kafka is lined up for a promotion to offensive coordinator in Kansas City when Eric Bieniemy gets a head coaching job. But working on an expiring contract this year opens the door for him to leave, and if he wants to go somewhere he can call plays the Lions can offer that to him.

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