5 potential candidates to replace Dan Campbell as Detroit Lions head coach

2. DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator

Ryans is quickly rising as a head coaching candidate in his second season as 49ers’ defensive coordinator. San Francisco has arguably the best defense in the NFL so far this season, statistically or otherwise, and Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports has passed along predictable indications Ryans will be a top candidate in the 2023 hiring cycle.

"DeMeco sees it differently,” said one personnel executive who identified Ryans as his top pick if he had to hire a head coach. “There’s something different when a middle linebacker is calling the defense. He has to know what’s going on in front of him and behind him. The structure of the scheme was already in place, but he took some of the nuance out of it so guys could just line up and play"

Ryans was a two-time Pro Bowler over 10 NFL seasons as middle linebacker for the Houston Texans (2006-2011) and Philadelphia Eagles (2012-2015). He interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings last year, notably withdrawing his name from consideration for the Vikings’ job before a second interview.

The Lions need more good players on the defensive side of the ball. But hiring a head coach with defensive acumen and proven ability to navigate injuries that have thinned San Francisco’s defense at times, would be a good move.

Ryans has a strong case to be No. 1 on this list of possible Dan Campbell replacements. But I’ve got one I like just a little better.