Lions Look Extremely Wise After Keeping Jim O'Neil from Leaving
The Detroit Lions have begun reshaping their coaching staff, starting on the offensive side of the ball. Drew Petzing has been named the team’s new offensive coordinator, and the Lions further strengthened their staff by bringing in Mike Kafka.
While most of the attention has been on the offense, Detroit quietly made an important move on defense by keeping one of its key assistants. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Lions reached an agreement on January 26 to retain defensive coach Jim O’Neil. Although O’Neil interviewed with the New York Jets for their defensive coordinator vacancy, he will remain in Detroit for the 2026 season. His return is significant, as he has been one of the team’s most effective defensive coaches and a major reason for the consistency the Lions have seen at safety.
Keeping O’Neil proved to be a smart decision. Since joining the Lions in 2024, he has played a central role in developing Detroit’s safeties. That season, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch delivered standout performances, with Joseph earning First-Team AP All-Pro honors and Branch making the Pro Bowl. The Lions’ defense also ranked near the top of the league, allowing the second-lowest completion percentage and tying for the second-fewest passing touchdowns surrendered.
Injuries prevented that same level of production in 2025. Joseph was limited to six games due to a knee injury, while Branch suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys. Branch is expected to miss most of next season, and there are questions surrounding Joseph’s recovery. Even with that uncertainty, the Lions value O’Neil’s steady presence and trust him to maximize the talent available in the secondary.
O’Neil’s impact was evident in 2025 through the emergence of Thomas Harper, who was forced into a larger role. Harper appeared in 12 games and started nine, finishing the season with 37 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception. Pro Football Focus graded him highly, ranking him among the league’s better safeties in overall performance and coverage.
Detroit also relied on Avonte Maddox at strong safety from Week 11 onward, and he delivered solid results. Maddox totaled 17 tackles, three pass deflections, and allowed just 37 yards in coverage. His PFF coverage grades ranked him among the top safeties at his position.
Regardless of who has lined up at safety over the past two seasons, the Lions have consistently received strong play, and O’Neil has been a driving force behind that success. That’s why Detroit’s decision to keep him is a savvy, under-the-radar move that could pay off in a big way.
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