One assistant’s job has been lost because of Detroit’s defensive shortcomings. Aubrey Pleasant, who oversaw the pass-game and coached defensive backs, was fired by the Lions. Later on Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the information, calling Pleasant’s dismissal “a painful choice.”
“We’re in a production-based industry,” Campbell noted, “so I believed that this change was necessary after seven weeks.” Campbell said that Pleasant’s duties will be taken up by Brian Duker, who was formerly the safeties coach.
As a member of Campbell’s initial team, Pleasant began working for the Lions in 2021. Last season, Detroit’s coaches were largely given a pass for the team’s problems, but in 2022, the Lions’ defensive problems have shown to be too serious to maintain the current quo. At 421.3 yards per game, the Lions are dead last in the NFL, and Detroit is 27th in the league against the pass, allowing more than 265 yards a game in the air.
