Larry

Foote

Foote was interviewed by the Lions to fill their vacant defensive coordinator position but told reporters he will be returning to the Buccaneers in 2025 after the Lions promoted from within to fill the position.

Foote’s multifaceted role makes him an intriguing option for the Lions. Steeped in Todd Bowles’ blitz-heavy scheme, Foote could bring an aggressive mentality to a talented defense that suffered myriad injuries in 2024.

It is mostly just window dressing, as new head coach Todd Bowles will remain his own defensive play-caller. Both Rodgers and Foote are longtime Bruce Arians/Bowles assistants. Save for Arians, the Bucs have complete coaching staff continuity following their lead man’s retirement. Bowles is one of the brighter defensive minds in the game. Rodgers or Foote could soon become head-coaching candidates.

A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers as a linebacker, Foote, 41, retired after the 2014 season and immediately joined coach Bruce Arians’ staff in Arizona as an assistant. He’s been working alongside Arians and Todd Bowles for years. The same can be said for Rodgers, who was Bowles’ DC with the Jets. With Bowles replacing Arians as head coach in Tampa Bay, it makes sense to promote this duo for continuity.

That sinking sound you hear is Bell’s free agent stock. Foote looked excellent replacing Bell last week with six solo tackles and an assist.

He did return to the game.

We’ll see. Foote has 36 tackles and three sacks and may be tough to take out of the lineup.

This should turn out to be a great deal for Pittsburgh. It ensures Kendrell Bell is headed out of town, while Foote is an IDP player to watch closely.

Farrior is 36 years old and nearing the end of the line as the Steelers’ onetime mainstay at left inside linebacker. “We would like to play both men, so we made a commitment early on that both men were going to play, and we stood up to that,” coach Mike Tomlin said. It’s a situation to avoid in IDP leagues.

Farrior’s agent expect his client to get the ax, and Foote is nearly six years his junior. The most likely scenario is Foote filling in as the starter while the Steelers develop a middle linebacker prospect from the upcoming draft.