Jan. 10, 2026, 5:45 p.m. ET
As the Detroit Lions work to fill their offensive coordinator vacancy, other franchises around the NFL are also working to fill vacancies on their own coaching staffs.
Lions assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins interviewed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday for the Bucs’ open special teams coordinator position.
In 2025, Detroit ranked 10th in yards per kickoff return (26.6), Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond had a 65-yard punt return touchdown during Detroit’s Week 4 win over Cleveland and Lions kicker Jake Bates was 27-of-34 on field goal tries with a long of 59 yards and two more makes from 58 yards.
Modkins joined the Lions in 2021. While assisting Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, Modkins and Detroit have led three Lions to All-Pro status in punt returner Kalif Raymond (second-team in 2022, 2024), punter Jack Fox (first-team in 2024; second-team in 2020) and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (second-team in 2023).
From 2021-25, the Lions have ranked fifth in kickoff return average (26.0), fourth in punt return average (11.2) and have tied for the league lead with three punt return touchdowns in that span.
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The Lions also ranked fifth in the league in gross punting average (48.3) and 10th in punt return average against (8.5) with Modkins on staff.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are mired in the NFL’s longest drought without a punt or kickoff return touchdown. The Bucs’ stretch of special teams futility dates back to 2010.
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