The job Glenn did to maintain a pretty consistent level of play on defense this past year despite all the injuries on that side of the ball was pretty remarkable. When Sheppard hits the ground running in this new role come April, he’ll have plenty of pieces to work with.
His linebacker room will be strong with Anzalone, Campbell and Rodriguez all under contract. We’ll see what the Lions opt to do with Barnes set to become a free agent.
Detroit’s starting four upfront should be disruptive and versatile with Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, DJ Reader and Za’Darius Smith all under contract, plus a few key reserves coming back too.
Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Amik Robertson, Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are all back in the secondary and that’s an area Detroit’s expected to continue to develop and add to this offseason by either re-signing Carlton Davis III, adding another veteran in free agency or continuing to add young talent to the mix via the draft.
Sheppard will have the pieces to implement his style of play and vision for this defense in 2025.
Sheppard once considered cutting his dreadlocks, believing the look might hinder his ability to get a job coaching in the NFL. Campbell encouraged Sheppard to keep his hairstyle, saying it was part of the young coach’s identity. Sheppard never forgot that conversation with Campbell and it’s allowed him to be his authentic self throughout his coaching career.
“I went through it and he’s like, ‘Thinking about cutting your what? What? Are you crazy? First of all, I love your hair,’” Sheppard said back in 2022. “He’s like, ‘But seriously, Shep, if I’m hiring you, if anybody’s hiring you, they’re hiring you because of you. You got those jobs because of who you are, not because of somebody you’re trying to become.’ And that resonated with me.”
- Former NFL Linebacker: Kelvin Sheppard played as a linebacker in the NFL for 8 seasons, suiting up for teams like the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions.
- Coaching Experience: Sheppard transitioned into coaching after retiring from playing in 2018. He started as a defensive analyst at the University of Louisiana in 2019 before joining the Detroit Lions as a defensive assistant in 2020. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021.
- Player Development: Sheppard is known for his ability to develop young players and help them reach their full potential. Under his guidance, the Lions defense has shown improvement and growth throughout the 2021 season.
- Defensive Philosophy: Sheppard’s defensive philosophy focuses on aggressive and physical play, emphasizing fundamentals and technique. He aims to create a unit that is disciplined, tough, and able to generate turnovers.
- Leadership Qualities: Sheppard is praised for his leadership qualities, including his communication skills, motivational tactics, and ability to connect with players. He is respected by his peers and players for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
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