Detroit Free Press

Ben Johnson was eager to take the first head coaching interviews of his life after spending the past 11 years as an NFL assistant. And while Johnson’s boss encouraged him to explore his options, the Detroit Lions‘ offensive coordinator ultimately decided he was in too good a spot to leave. Johnson, in comments made to

Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Hosts: Shawn Windsor (@shawnwindsor) and Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) • Producer: Andrew Hammond • Editor: Robin Chan • Executive producers: Anjanette Delgado, Kirkland Crawford • Email: swindsor@freepress.com On this episode: This week, Carlos & Shawn have the Michigan State community in their hearts and minds. Later, the guys discuss the Super Bowl, the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Pistons trade for James Wiseman. Catch

The last time the Detroit Lions had the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft, they kept their plans so secret even the player they picked was surprised to get a phone call telling him he was coming to Detroit. “Darryl Rogers called me and said, ‘Hey, congratulations, you are a Detroit Lion,’ and I

Former Detroit Lions defensive back Stanley Wilson has died at the age of 40, the team confirmed on Wednesday. According to TMZ, Wilson died while being transferred from Los Angeles County jail to a hospital that specializes in mental health on Feb. 1. Wilson collapsed during the intake process and eventually died, according to the

Now that that’s over, and you’ve had your fun imagining the Detroit Lions sharing the field with the Vikings, Eagles and the 49ers and the Chiefs, next season officially begins, and it’s time to consider what the Lions need to make a run to the playoffs — and maybe one in the playoffs. But that’s

Several years ago, I was in the Detroit Lions locker room speaking with cornerbacks about the changing nature of the NFL and how much more of a pass-friendly league it had become. Chris Houston listed all the benefits offenses enjoyed. More stringent rules against hitting the quarterback were being instituted. Very little contact was allowed

Ten thoughts on the Kansas City’s Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and what’s in store for 2023: Mahomes’ career best ever to this point It’s not hyperbole to say Patrick Mahomes is off to the greatest start by a player in NFL history. In five years as a starter, Mahomes has five 12-win

While metro Detroit prepares for the April return of the Michigan Panthers in Year 2 of the USFL’s reboot — now with games at Ford Field! — there’s another league revving up a reboot beginning next weekend. It’s time for the XFL, Version 3.0, which kicks off Feb. 18 in Arlington, Texas (and elsewhere). The

After ranking near the top of the NFL in games lost due to player injuries for the second straight year, the Detroit Lions will have a new director of player health and performance in 2023. Arizona Cardinals physical therapist consultant Brett Fischer announced on social media he is leaving to become director of player health

It’s tempting to imagine the Lions could beat either Super Bowl team, but fans should resist the urge to dream of a title as early as next season because they don’t have a record of sustained success. On Sunday, you’re going to plop yourself down on a couch. You’ll grab some chips and guac and

Aidan Hutchinson said being passed over for the first pick in last year’s NFL draft “will stick with me forever.” Now, the Detroit Lions defensive end has another sleight to use for motivation. Hutchinson, the second pick of last year’s draft, finished second in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting announced Thursday, behind New

Ben Johnson withdrew his name from head coaching consideration last month because he had “unfinished business” as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator – business that might now include winning assistant coach of the year. Former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year, The Associated Press announced just before

Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Hosts: Shawn Windsor (@shawnwindsor) and Carlos Monarrez (@cmonarrez) • Producer: Andrew Hammond • Editor: Robin Chan • Executive producers: Anjanette Delgado, Kirkland Crawford • Guest: Dave Birkett, Free Press Lions beat writer • Email: swindsor@freepress.com On this episode: This week, Free Press Lions beat writer Dave Birkett joins the guys to once again ponder over “the quarterback discussion” and what the Detroit Lions should

It’s been a month since the Detroit Lions played their last football game, winning at Lambeau Field to keep the Green Bay Packers out of the playoffs and start what could be a changing of the guard in the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers is headed for a four-day darkness retreat to evaluate his future, and

The Detroit Lions showed significant improvement in their secondary after a midseason coaching change last year, and the man who took over as the primary defensive backs coach is being rewarded. The Lions announced the previously reported hire of Scottie Montgomery as running backs coach Wednesday and shuffled the roles of several other assistants on

Like most humans, I’m curious. Like most Americans, I’m especially curious about who’s going to win the Super Bowl. Like most Americans who are curious about who’s going to win the Super Bowl, I’m actually a lot more curious about how to make great guacamole for my Super Bowl party. But no matter how strong

It happened once, twice, a dozen times Monday. As a crowd of reporters gathered around Darius Slay at Super Bowl LVII media night pelting him with questions, one reporter vying for the Philadelphia Eagles cornerback’s attention shouted, Hey, Darius. “It’s Slay,” Slay corrected him. Darius … “It’s Slay. You know it’s Slay.” Darius! “Slay, Slay,

The Detroit Lions have a new running backs coach — and a new potential in-house replacement for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, should they need one a year from now. The Lions are hiring Scottie Montgomery as their new running backs coach and assistant head coach, NFL Network reported Monday. Montgomery spent the past two seasons

The Kansas City Chiefs are quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes. They are coached by Andy Reid. Over the last five seasons, this has been the best QB-head coach combo in the NFL. So, there is that. Without them, the Chiefs wouldn’t be playing in the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is led — on the field —

MOBILE, Ala. — One of the benefits of coaching in the Senior Bowl is getting hands-on experience with some of the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft. Dan Campbell’s entire staff coached the game last season, when the Detroit Lions spent two Day 2 picks on Senior Bowl standouts, defensive lineman Josh Paschal and