Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard certainly went into his Thursday Night Football matchup against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills shorthanded due to the lack of secondary talent, but that doesn't explain the team's futility in a 41-31 loss as Buffalo opened up their new stadium.
Sheppard's defense only forced two punts all game, while Allen accounted for five total touchdowns. His secondary lacking depth should not explain the team surrendering more than 200 yards rushing, committing a good chunk of the team's ten penalties, and allowing the Bills to go 9-12 on third down.
After he didn't exactly cover himself in glory in 2025, Sheppard's seat is getting warmer with each stinker. Fans may need to start looking at 2027 replacements now that Sheppard has surrendered 71 points in his first two games, and these five names stand out.
5 Kelvin Sheppard replacements Detroit Lions must consider for 2027 defensive coordinator
5. Kacy Rodgers, defensive line coach, Detroit Lions
This is the internal replacement who could end up getting a sort of internal promotion if Sheppard keeps struggling. Rodgers has past defensive coordinator history, serving four years in that role for the New York Jets under Todd Bowles and operating as a sort of de facto DC alongside Bowles and Larry Foote with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If nothing else, his experience could be what pumps this unit up a notch.
4. Gerald Alexander, defensive backs coach, Minnesota Vikings
Alexander may be the next Brian Flores assistant teams try to pilfer after the Washington Commanders did the same with Daronte Jones. Alexander is the team's defensive backs coach, a role he helped fill when Flores was coaching the Miami Dolphins as well.
Alexander could run the same blitz-happy scheme Campbell seems to demand of his coordinator hires.
3. Ryan Nielsen, defensive line coach, New Orleans Saints
Nielsen has constantly been able to generate solid pass rushes throughout his coaching career, and that could give him one more crack at being a defensive play-caller.
Nielsen has had two seperate stints as a defensive coordinator. One went well, as the Atlanta Falcons were vastly improved from what they were in 2023. One went terribly, as the Jacksonville Jaguars were a mess in 2024. Which version could the Lions get?
READ MORE: The Jets’ pass rush is a major concern for the Lions’ banged-up offensive line
2. Aden Durde, defensive coordinator, Seattle Seahawks
The Lions will need to do something similar to what the Baltimore Ravens did to lure Declan Doyle away from the Chicago Bears, tempting him with the ability to call plays.
Durde will get similar buzz across the league, but there are few teams in the league who could give Durde a better chance to compete for a championship than Detroit would. Would leaving Seattle even be a consideration?
1. Jim Schwartz, former defensive coordinator, Cleveland Browns
Is it that crazy? Schwartz was the one good thing Cleveland had going for it, so much so that there was some uproar when Todd Monken did not retain him as defensive coordinator.
Schwartz wasn't the greatest head coach in Detroit, but with Vance Joseph returning to the Denver Broncos and fixing their unit, why cant Schwartz follow the same path with the Lions?
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