It has been inevitable for several weeks, but the Lions and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn are indeed set to part ways after Sunday’s season finale.
The writing was on the wall when head coach Dan Campbell said he wanted to be more involved in the offense during the bye week. It was further cemented when Campbell took over play calling coming out of the bye week, and never gave the duties back.
On Sunday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Lions and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn are expected to part ways after Sunday’s season finale.
The #Lions and OC Anthony Lynn are expected to part ways following today’s game, sources say. One of the more respected leaders as a HC, it was never a good fit as OC for Lynn in Detroit. He had play-calling duties stripped earlier, and now both sides appear set to walk away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2022
The word “expected” is a little soft. After having play calling taken away, Lynn was inevitably going to be one-and-done as Lions’ offensive coordinator. He has maintained a role in coordinating a run game that has remained productive no matter who the lead back is, which is no surprise considering his previous roots as a running backs coach before becoming head coach of the Chargers.
Anthony Lynn seemed to welcome his looming departure from the Lions weeks ago
Lynn is typically pretty close to the vest with his words. But during his media availability in early December, he pulled down the veil to shown a hint of frustration.
“You know, three weeks going into this thing, knowing what Dan wants, (I’m) trying to assist him the best I can,” Lynn said. “I’m very comfortable with the role. Don’t mistake comfortable for liking the role, but I’m very comfortable with the role and I want to help and assist Dan the best I can.”
Lynn was one of the last additions to Campbell’s staff last offseason, and he was just never a great fit for the Lions. Not that the offense has been that much better overall with Campbell calling the plays, things have just looked better more often. Attention can now officially turn to who will replace Lynn, and ideally replace Campbell as the play caller.