5 coaches who could be pried away from the Detroit Lions in 2024

3. Tanner Engstrand, Passing Game Coordinator

Engstrand is on the same track as Johnson, first working as the Lions' tight ends coach, then moving to tight ends coach and passing game coordinator when Johnson became the offensive coordinator. This season, Engstrand's lone title is passing game coordinator. Also like Johnson, Engstrand is a former college quarterback.

At 41 years old Engstrand has a wide swath of coaching experience going back to 2005. Check out his resume, from the college level (Jim Harbaugh disciple?) to the XFL to the NFL.

San Diego (2005–2006)
Graduate assistant
San Diego (2007–2008)
-Running backs coach
San Diego (2009–2010)
-Quarterbacks coach
San Diego (2011–2012)
Offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
San Diego (2013–2017)
Assistant head coach, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach
Michigan (2018)
Offensive analyst
DC Defenders (XFL-2020)
Offensive coordinator & running backs coach
Detroit Lions (2021)
Offensive Assistant
Detroit Lions (2022)
Tight ends coach/passing game coordinator
Detroit Lions (2023)
Passing game coordinator

If Johnson takes a head coaching job, Engstrand would be the obvious internal candidate to replace him. But if Johnson were to decide to stay in Detroit again, or even if he does leave, other teams/new head coaches have surely noticed Engstrand enough to possibly consider him for an offensive coordinator job. If Johnson or Glenn takes a head coaching job, they may want to bring him along as their offensive coordinator.