The Detroit Lions have wrapped up their coaching staff lineup for the 2026 season with Dan Campbell at the helm. Let’s dive into the fresh faces and shifts in roles that will shape the Lions' strategy this year.
Key Additions to the Lions' Coaching Team:
- Mike Kafka joins as the pass game coordinator.
- Steve Oliver steps in as the tight ends coach.
- Dan Skipper takes on the role of offensive assistant.
- David Shaw transitions to pass game specialist.
Spotlight on Mike Kafka:
Mike Kafka, at 38, brings a wealth of experience from both his playing and coaching days. Originally a fourth-round draft pick by the Eagles in 2010, Kafka's journey through the NFL saw him with teams like the Patriots, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Vikings, Titans, and Bengals. His transition to coaching began at Northwestern as an offensive graduate assistant in 2016.
Kafka's coaching career took a significant leap when he joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control coach in 2017. His prowess quickly earned him a promotion to quarterbacks coach in 2018 and later to QB coach/passing game coordinator in 2020.
Kafka's expertise didn’t go unnoticed, leading him to the New York Giants as their offensive coordinator in 2022. Despite the Seahawks' interest last year, the Giants retained him, eventually promoting him to assistant head coach.
When Brian Daboll was dismissed, Kafka stepped up as the Giants' interim head coach for the last seven games of the 2025 season. During that stretch, the Giants’ offense showed promise, ranking 12th in total yards and maintaining a top 10 position in both rushing and passing yards. However, the team finished 2-5 under his interim leadership.
With these strategic hires and role adjustments, the Lions are positioning themselves for a robust season. Kafka’s experience and fresh perspective on the passing game could be pivotal in elevating Detroit’s offensive play. As the Lions gear up for 2026, fans have plenty to be excited about with this new coaching dynamic.