With Super Bowl 60 on the horizon, many Detroit Lions supporters face a dilemma: which team to back? This piece aims to provide a rooting interest by detailing the Lions' former personnel, both players and coaches, who are now part of the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. For fans seeking a familiar face to cheer on for a Super Bowl triumph, this guide offers insights into who to follow in the upcoming championship.
For fans of the Detroit Lions, the Super Bowl can often be a game without a clear allegiance. The dominance of the New England Patriots in the 2000s has made them a less-than-popular choice for many, while the Seattle Seahawks have historically been a source of frustration for the Lions. This article aims to resolve that conundrum by focusing on individuals with ties to the Lions who are now playing or coaching for either the Seahawks or the Patriots in Super Bowl 60.
On the Seattle Seahawks side, several figures have past connections to the Detroit Lions. Safety Quandre Diggs, a sixth-round draft pick in 2015, quickly became a fan favorite in Detroit. Known for his aggressive play and ball-hawking skills, Diggs’ tenure with the Lions ended abruptly due to a conflict with coach Matt Patricia, leading to a trade to Seattle. Although he has played more games for the Seahawks than the Lions, his impact in Detroit is still remembered. While Diggs is currently on the practice squad and unlikely to play in the Super Bowl, many Lions fans still hold a fondness for him despite his recent decision not to return to Detroit this season.
Josh Bynes, now a defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Seahawks, also has a history with the Lions. After a successful stint with the Baltimore Ravens, Bynes joined Detroit in 2014, contributing significantly for three seasons, primarily on special teams. He went on to have a 12-year NFL career before transitioning into coaching with the Seahawks, leveraging his connection to Mike Macdonald. Additionally, Devin Fitzsimmons, the assistant special teams coach for the Seahawks, served in the same capacity for the Lions from 2014 to 2018. He even briefly took on interim tight ends coaching duties in 2015. His departure from Detroit came after the team brought back John Bonamego as special teams coordinator.
Turning to the New England Patriots, a number of former Lions players and coaches are also set to feature in Super Bowl 60. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who has played for a quarter of the NFL teams in his decade-long career, had his shortest stint with the Lions, signing to their practice squad in December 2022 without seeing any game action. He now serves as Drake Maye’s primary backup. Running back Craig Reynolds, a fan favorite due to his unconventional path to the Lions’ RB3 spot, earned the nickname “Netflix” after joining the team as a late addition in 2021. Despite his consistent performance on offense and special teams, roster changes led him to the Patriots’ practice squad, though an injury has sidelined him for the Super Bowl.
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai, a polarizing figure from the Bob Quinn era in Detroit, was considered a significant overdraft in the 2019 NFL Draft. After two seasons, he was cut by new management but found success with the Patriots, starting 51 games over five seasons and becoming a rotational player on their defense. Cornerback Carlton Davis, the Lions’ top cornerback last year after a trade in the 2024 offseason, had strong interest in returning to Detroit but contract negotiations fell through. He signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Patriots and has had a strong season, despite being flagged frequently. His two interceptions in the Divisional Round game against the Texans highlight his impact. Furthermore, Todd Downing, the Patriots’ wide receivers coach, was an early influence on Matthew Stafford’s development, serving as a quality control coach, assistant quarterbacks coach, and eventually quarterbacks coach for the Lions from 2009 to 2013. He joined New England after a stint as defensive coordinator for the Titans.
A particularly heartwarming story on the Patriots’ staff is that of defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. Diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year, Williams has been absent from the sidelines since Week 1. After being declared cancer-free this postseason, he will rejoin the Patriots for the Super Bowl, marking a triumphant return. Williams, highly regarded for his coaching prowess, was the Lions’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2024 but left for an opportunity to reunite with Mike Vrabel, ultimately leading to his first defensive coordinator role in a career spanning back to 1998.
This Super Bowl offers an opportunity for Detroit Lions fans to connect with the game by following the journeys of these former team members. Whether they are players seeking a championship ring or coaches making an impact from the sidelines, their past ties to Detroit provide a unique angle for Lions supporters to engage with the biggest game in American football.