5 candidates to replace Anthony Lynn as Lions offensive coordinator
2. Ronald Curry, New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach
Curry is in his first season as the Saints’ quarterbacks coach. But he goes back to 2016 as an offensive assistant on Sean Payton’s staff (2018-2020 with the title of wide receivers coach), with two years on the San Francisco 49ers’ staff (2014-2015) before that.
Campbell was on the staff in New Orleans from 2016-2020 as tight ends coach and assistant head coach. So he presumably knows Curry pretty well, and would easily entrust his former colleague with the reins of the Lions’ offense.
1. Duce Staley, Lions running backs coach
Staley came to Detroit as running backs coach and assistant head coach this year after spending 10 seasons (2011-2020) on the Philadelphia Eagles’ coaching staff. He served as Eagles running backs coach from 2013-2020, adding the assistant head coaching title in 2018.
Staley has the look of a future NFL head coach. In the near-term he would be the natural internal candidate to replace Lynn, as he takes the next step to a proving ground of duties as an offensive coordinator and play caller. He may be fine staying in his current post, but the Lions won’t need to undertake a major search to replace Lynn if they can just promote someone who’s definitely worthy.
