Roundtable: Who Should Replace Todd Wash as Lions Defensive Line Coach?

Latest All Lions Roundtable focuses on who the Detroit Lions should target to replace Todd Wash as defensive line coach.

1.) Do you ever see the Lions paying Jared Goff or any quarterback $50 million a year? 

Christian Booher: I believe that there will come a day where $50 million will be the standard for quarterbacks. Because of this, I think the Lions will eventually have to pony up the money. 

Now, there's no telling when this time will come for the Lions. I don't think Goff will get the $50 million price tag during his time in Detroit. However, I believe there will certainly come a day where the Lions are dishing out that amount for a franchise mainstay. 

Vito Chirco: As much as Detroit, under the leadership of general manager Brad Holmes, has emphasized building up the roster around the quarterback (instead of specifically focusing on upgrading the QB position), there is a strong likelihood that the Lions will pay a signal-caller $50 million a year one day.

There are five present NFL quarterbacks whose contracts have an average annual value of at least $45 million (Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers).

I don't ever envision Jared Goff entering this group of passers. But, once again, with the current economic climate for quarterbacks, I wouldn't put it past the Lions one day paying their franchise QB $50 million per season -- and in the not-so-distant future. 

2.) Any concerns about two coaches leaving Detroit for Carolina?

Booher: Not much concern on my end. I think Duce Staley may have actually played a significant role in getting Todd Wash to Carolina, given their connection. 

Any time you build a good staff, other teams will take notice. I think the poaching of assistants in Detroit is a testament to what head coach Dan Campbell has built. It won't be the last time, as teams have begun to understand the talent Campbell has had on his staff. 

Chirco: I'm not concerned whatsoever with the decisions made by Duce Staley and Todd Wash to leave the Lions for Frank Reich's coaching staff in Carolina.

Similar to Booher, I believe the two assistants leaving for employment elsewhere is a sign of the rest of the league taking notice of the quality coaching staff that Dan Campbell has built in Detroit. Staley, as the team's running backs coach, and Wash, as the organization's defensive line coach, each played integral roles in the Lions' vast turnaround in 2022. And so, they deserved opportunities elsewhere, and took advantage of the ones offered to them by the Panthers. 

It's also important to note that Staley grew up in West Columbia, S.C. -- which is located about 90 miles south of Charlotte -- and wanted to be closer to home to aid his mom, who has health issues.

So, overall wise, the departure of Staley and Wash is far from a negative mark for the organization. Instead, it's a sign of the positive state that the franchise appears to be in, headed into the 2023 season.

3.) Who should replace Todd Wash as Lions defensive line coach?

Booher: There's an in-house candidate in Cameron Davis, who was the team's assistant defensive line coach last season. If he is simply to be promoted, I'd have no qualms. 

If the Lions look elsewhere, I think the team could take a look at Terrance Knighton. A former defensive tackle who played in a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, Knighton is currently at Nebraska coaching under Matt Rhule. 

He fits the mold as a former NFL player, and has NFL coaching experience, having spent two years on Rhule's staff with the Carolina Panthers. He was on staff when the Lions lost to Carolina in Week 16, and helped the Panthers' defense limit the Lions to just 45 yards rushing. 

Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Chirco: Besides for replacing Wash internally with Cameron Davis -- the Lions' current assistant defensive line coach -- they could go outside the box and tab present Detroit defensive lineman Michael Brockers for the job. 

Brockers, a longtime defensive lineman who got his start in the NFL with the Rams in 2012, was a healthy scratch for the majority of this past season. And, he could decide to call it quits this offseason. 

Brockers is viewed as one of the smartest and most well-respected defensive players in the league. So, if he has an interest in coaching, it wouldn't hurt for the Lions to give him his start. 

If I were Campbell, I'd promote Davis to the role of defensive line coach and make Brockers the assistant DL coach -- if the veteran decides to retire and wants the gig. 

4.) Do you like taking Alabama safety Brian Branch at No. 18?

Booher: Absolutely. I think Branch is a hybrid who could also spend time at corner, making him the perfect fit for the Lions. 

The most appealing quality with Branch is his ability to get downhill and deliver a big hit in the run game. He could develop into a solid box safety in Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn's scheme. 

Branch has good ball skills, as well, with three interceptions in his college career.

Chirco:  I do. I'm a big fan of Branch's versatility, which allows him to line up at any defensive back position. And, the aforementioned attribute would  especially come in handy with Detroit, which possesses a secondary that is in dire need of help in both stopping the pass and stopping the run. 

Whether at cornerback or safety, Branch has a knack for making plays. Just this past season, the Crimson Tide product finished with 90 total tackles, including 14 for loss, to go along with three sacks, two interceptions and nine passes defensed.  

I think he'd be a solid find for the Lions at No. 18 overall. 

5.) If you could only bring back one Lions great to add to this roster, who would it be: Matthew Stafford or Calvin Johnson?  

Booher: I think it'd have to be Johnson. Growing up watching him, it was awe-inducing to see him consistently rise above defenders and make incredible plays. 

Adding him to the receiving corps that the Lions already have at their disposal would take them to the next level. With Amon-Ra St. Brown's ability to separate and Jameson Williams' speed, Johnson's ability to catch passes in tight windows would be a massive addition. 

I liked Stafford, too -- after all, he was the guy getting Johnson the ball. However, I think his erratic throws and decision making wouldn't change the team's fortunes for the better. 

Jared Goff was phenomenal over the second half of the 2022 season, thanks to his ability to avoid the critical turnovers. That wouldn't be a guarantee with Stafford, which makes me lean with Johnson. 

Chirco: For this current roster, it'd definitely be Calvin Johnson. Detroit is already equipped with an adequate signal-caller in Jared Goff. So, it would gain more by adding the Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver in Johnson.

Johnson would provide the Lions with a big-bodied No. 1 wide receiver that they presently don't possess, and subsequently add a new element of explosion to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's already potent attack. 

The presence of "Megatron" would allow Amon-Ra St. Brown to become an even more dynamic slot receiver, and it would further Jameson Williams' growth as a pass-catcher. Plus, and most importantly, it would take Ben Johnson's unit to the next level.