Something happened during this NFL hiring cycle that is all a bit unfamiliar to Detroit Lions’ fans. Despite only notching three wins during their 2021 season, they had multiple coaches interviewed for promotions. The most recent being defensive backs coach, and Flint native, Aubrey Pleasant.
Pleasant has received plenty of praise around the league for what he accomplished last year. The Lions' secondary was thin to begin with, full of youth and inexperience. Then the injuries came and left a thin room even more shorthanded.
Still, it was easy to see tangible growth on an almost weekly basis, both from individual players, and the unit as a whole.