Things certainly have changed for the Detroit Lions, haven't they? For the longest time, it seemed that Lions' pass game coordinator Tanner Engstrand was the heir apparent to the Lions' offensive coordinator job if and when Ben Johnson left.
That idea started to cool down dramatically in recent weeks and the Lions set their sights elsewhere. They have now hired Bronocs' pass game coordinator John Morton to take the role. Engstrand seems to be up for another offensive coordinator role in the AFC.
There's a pretty solid chance this happens. Not only did Engatrand work with new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn for four seasons in Detroit, but he was also a teammate of new Jets GM Darren Moughey at San Diego State. They were both quarterbacks there.
If Engstrand leaves, that means the role is going to be open and there's only one guy that comes to my mind that should have the job. That's former Lions quarterback David Blough.
Right now Blough is an assistant quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders and he has not been your classic first-year on-the-job guy over there. He's already contributed to the play call and drew up arguably one of the biggest plays of the year for the Commanders. A play that actually helped out the Lions too.
That play helped the Lions secure the first seed in the NFC this year. It put them in position to go beat the Vikings and clinch in Week 18.
Blough is already considered to be a guy that is a rising star in the NFL coaching world and he is someone that had already taken on something of a player/coach role in Detroit. This is a seamless transition to get him back here.
This is a guy that you want to have on your staff not just for now, but for the future. John Morton is in place as the OC now, but you could easily see him get hired away if the Lions offense doesn't skip a beat or gets better. Then you have Blough to fill that role.
Blough will be a head coach in the NFL someday. There is just no doubt about it. He's been talking about it since he was the quarterback at Perdue. It's just a matter of time and where he cuts his teeth. Detroit has to be that spot.
