After losing Aaron Glenn and Terrell Williams, the Detroit Lions have holes to fill on their defensive staff and are reportedly going shopping in Central Florida.
The Lions are expected to interview Buccaneers inside linebackers coach and former Michigan standout Larry Foote for their vacant defensive coordinator role.
The news was first reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Several hours prior, the Lions agreed to terms with Tampa Bay Buccaneers run game coordinator and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers to fill their vacant defensive line coach position, left by Williams departing for the DC role with the New England Patriots.
The 44-year-old Foote has spent the last six seasons in Tampa Bay, serving under Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles respective staffs as outside linebackers coach (2019-2021) and pass game coordinator & inside linebackers coach (2022-present).
Before heading to Tampa Bay, Foote worked on Arians’ staff with the Arizona Cardinals as assistant linebackers coach in 2015 before being promoted to linebackers coach in 2016.
If the Lions hire Foote, it would not only be a homecoming for the Detroit native but also a return to the franchise.
Foote played one season for the Lions in 2009, recording 99 tackles — 11 for loss — four quarterback hits, four pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
“Being from Detroit and playing a year there, that stadium was a special place,” Foote said in a press conference last September ahead the Lions-Buccaneers Week 2 matchup. “I’m looking forward to going back there and being in that environment.”
According to Rick Stroud, Buccaneers beat writer for the Tampa Bay Times, Foote’s contract has expired, and the franchise had intended to bring him back.
Foote was a standout linebacker during his time at the University of Michigan from 1999 to 2001. In the NFL, he was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he lands in Detroit, he would also reunite with former Steelers teammate Antwaan Randle El, who serves as the Lions’ wide receivers coach.
Foote is the first reported interview for the Lions’ defensive coordinator vacancy since Aaron Glenn left the role to become the New York Jets’ new head coach.
