The Lions are one of five NFL teams still looking for a new coach after the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Urban Meyer and the New York Jets chose Robert Saleh.
According Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, a former tight end of the New York Giants is the top contender in Detroit.
#Saints TEs assistant coach / coach Dan Campbell has emerged as the favorite to be the new #Lions head coach, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. No personal interviews can be conducted until the season is over, so it’s officially on hold until then.
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Pro Football Talk reports that Campbell interviewed Lions on Monday.
Campbell has been with Saints since 2016. Prior to that, he coached the 2011-2015 Dolphins tight end, spending the last 12 games of the 2015 season as Miami’s interim coach. The Dolphins were 5-7 under Campbell. Campbell spent three seasons with Lions as a 2006-2008 player.
Campbell’s career in the NFL started with the Giants in 1999 as the third-round pick for New York, No. 79 overall. He played four seasons for the Giants, before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys and eventually Lions. His career totals included 91 receptions for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In Detroit, Campbell would replace Matt Patricia, who Lions fired in November after going 13-29-1 over two seasons on the sideline. Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell ended the 2020 season as interim head coach, going from 1 to 4 in the last five games.
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