Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had a lot of great things to say about new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press is down at the Super Bowl in New Orleans gathering some good Detroit Lions content this week. His conversation with former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is worth watching to hear about his experience after Atlanta had to deal with several coaches leaving following their Super Bowl run. He also got Eagles cornerback Darius Slay’s impression of Detroit now years removed from his trade away from the Lions.
But my favorite bit of his content thus far is recapping a media session with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The veteran coach was asked about his impression of new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Spagnuolo coached Sheppard for a couple years when the two overlapped with the New York Giants. It was at that time that Spagnuolo knew Sheppard was destined for a coaching career after his playing time was over.
“I love Kelvin Sheppard,” Spagnuolo said. “To me, Kelvin Sheppard, if I could make a mini projection, will be a head coach in this league, in my opinion. He was one of the smartest players I had back in New York, and we were fortunate enough to get him.”
He later continued:
“Really smart,” Spagnuolo said. “He was a lot like (former Las Vegas Raiders coach) Antonio Pierce I had there in New York earlier, and when Kelvin came there I thought he just kind of galvanized all the guys with his football intelligence and just the way he played the game. And you can see it now as a coach now. I knew he’d always be a coach and a really good one.”
Spagnuolo has been coaching football in some fashion since the 1980s and is considered one of the brightest defensive minds in football. Getting an endorsement from him is no small accomplishment for Sheppard.
You should read the entire piece here,
- One more nugget from Birkett at the Super Bowl… try not to focus too hard on the word “yet”
Myles Garrett making the rounds on radio row here at the Super Bowl, not taking trade questions. Asked him if he has any thoughts on playing for the Lions as he went from interview to interview, politely said: “Not yet”
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) February 5, 2025
- The folks over at SB Nation believe the Lions are one of a handful of teams who could realistically trade for Myles Garrett and have their own proposal for a deal.
- Check out this crazy clip of Terrion Arnold making a one-handed grab during a Deestroying event (with WR Keon Coleman dropping the dime in there)
- Rich Silva of the Detroit News has 10 external free agents to-be who could help the Lions in 2025.
- The Campbells are the cutest damn couple, and you won’t be able to convince me otherwise. Congrats on 100,000 followers, Holly:
