Detroit Lions new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard: What to know
The Lions promoted linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator. Sheppard, 37, joined Dan Campbell’s initial Lions staff as outside linebackers coach in 2021 and has overseen the entire unit the past three seasons.
Five Detroit Lions players ranked in the NFLPA’s top 50 player sales list.The Lions are the only team with three players in the top 20.
You might have noticed some more Honolulu Blue jerseys in public as the Detroit Lions have gained national prominence. And the numbers back it up.
In the NFL Players Association’s latest report, five Lions were listed in the league’s top-50 player sales list for the period from March 1, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025. These players are:
No. 7: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson.No. 8: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown.No. 20: RB Jahmyr Gibbs.No. 22: QB Jared Goff.No. 47: TE Sam LaPorta.
The Lions are the only NFL team to feature three players in the top 20, with four other teams (Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers) landing two players in the top 20.
The list ranks players based on retail performance, with jersey sales, apparel and other officially-licensed accessories taken into account.
The 2024 list represents a significant spike in popularity for Lions players compared to the 2023 list. Only one Lion made it on the top-20 2023 list (Hutchinson, No. 18) and only St. Brown (No. 33) also made it to the top 50.
Not only have both players climbed up the list this year, but they’re also joined by three other Lions.
For the second consecutive year, an Eagles player tops the list, with quarterback Jalen Hurts at No. 1 in 2023 and running back Saquon Barkley at No. 1 in 2024. This is also the second year in a row that two Eagles have placed in the top three, with Hurts falling to No. 3 in 2024 and former center Jason Kelce at No. 2 in 2023.
According to the press release, two of the NFLPA’s 2024 rising Lions stars, rookies and veterans tabbed to have breakout seasons, made the final list: Gibbs and LaPorta.
The Lions won a franchise-record 15 games in 2024 and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. However, a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round ended the team’s Super Bowl hunt, with key defensive players such as Hutchinson not available for the playoffs due to injury.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com