The Detroit Lions coaching staff departures continue, as an offensive coach leaves to join Aaron Glenn and the Jets.
The Detroit Lions will have another coach on the offensive staff to replace this season. As first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the New York Jets are hiring Lions tight ends coach Steven Heiden to be their next offensive line coach.
It’s an unexpected move, seeing as Heiden played 11 years in the league as a tight end, and has spent most of his coaching career at that same position. However, he did spend a single season as the Arizona Cardinals’ assistant offensive line coach in 2018. Heiden has served as the Lions tight end coach for the past two seasons, joining the team shortly before Detroit drafted tight end Sam LaPorta in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
“Coach Heiden has done a phenomenal job getting those guys ready, particularly a young player like LaPorta,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Heiden back in 2023.
Under Heiden, LaPorta set the NFL record for most receptions by a tight end in their first two seasons (146).
Heiden will join former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn with the Jets, as he continues to build out his staff. Reportedly, that staff may also include Lions pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who is believed to be the top candidate to fill New York’s offensive coordinator position.
It’s been a huge offseason of attrition for the Lions’ coaching staff. Here are all the coaches who have departed or the Lions have parted ways with, per various reports:
- OC Ben Johnson — Bears head coach
- Assistant QB coach J.T. Barrett — Bears QB coach
- WR coach Antwaan Randle El — Bears WR coach/assistant head coach
- TE coach Steve Heiden — Jets OL coach
- DC Aaron Glenn — Jets head coach
- DL coach Terrell Williams — Patriots DC
- Assistant DL coach Cameron Davis — Parting ways with Lions
You can track all of the Lions’ latest coach news and rumors with our 2025 tracker.
