]

BREAKING: Detroit Lions DBs coach Deshea Townsend interviews for 49ers defensive coordinator job.THANHDUNG

The Detroit Lions are bracing to lose one or both of their coordinators to head-coaching opportunities this offseason, and at least one assistant could be in line for a promotion elsewhere, too.

Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers for their vacant defensive coordinator job, the 49ers announced Thursday.

Townsend is in his first season with the Lions after spending two years as cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Detroit, he oversaw a secondary that played among the most man-to-man coverage in the NFL.

The Lions finished 30th in the league in pass defense this season at 244 ypg allowed, but tied for the fifth-most interceptions (16). Last week, they shut down Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings’ high-powered offense to improve to 15-2, win the NFC North and get a first-round playoff bye.

Detroit Lions passing game coordinator and defensive back coach Deshea Townsend speaks to media members during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and front office executive Chris Spielman also are expected to interview for promotions with other teams in the coming days.

Johnson will meet virtually with the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars about their head-coaching positions. The Bears, Raiders, Jaguars, Patriots, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets put in interview requests for Glenn for their head coach. And Spielman plans to interview for the Jets’ general manager job.

The 49ers also interviewed Dearborn native and former Jets head coach Robert Salah for their defensive coordinator position Thursday. Saleh, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2017-20, is considered the favorite for the job.

GRAB THE MIC:Aikman says Lions remind him of Super Bowl-winning Cowboys. He might be onto something

Townsend played 13 NFL seasons from 1998-2010 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts as a defensive back.

Related Posts

Buccaneers’ David Walker does something that has the NFL buzzing about the plane crash in India.

Buccaneers’ David Walker Shocks NFL With Humanitarian Action Related to Tragic Plane Crash in India While the American football world is focused on the NFL preseason, a…

Buffalo Bills’ Landon Jackson does something that has the NFL buzzing about the plane crash in India.

Landon Jackson – the rising young defensive end of the Buffalo Bills – has just made a touching gesture that has deeply touched the entire NFL community….

BREAKING: Travis Kelce loses 25 pounds after stressful NFL season amid criticism of weight gain.

Travis Kelce shed 25 pounds in preparation for the forthcoming 2025-26 NFL season after he was dragged for his “dad bod.” ESPN personality Jeremy Fowler revealed that…

UPDATE: Should the Buccaneers erect a statue to honor Tom Brady after his legendary legacy?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have never had a player quite like Tom Brady. The franchise, once defined by mediocrity and missed playoff chances, was transformed the moment Brady signed…

BREAKING: 2 Buffalo Bills at risk of cuts after 2025 training camp.

The Buffalo Bills are once again aiming high in 2025. They have a roster built to contend and a franchise quarterback locked in for the long haul. However, with…

BREAKING: Rashee Rice dodges Chiefs’ biggest question as he heaps praise on the offense.

After failing to become the first team in NFL history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions last season, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to get…