Detroit Lions Promote Steve Oliver as Next Tight Ends Coach

Oliver has been with the team for five seasons, including the past three as assistant offensive line coach.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Detroit Lions have promoted Steve Oliver to be their new tight ends coach, replacing Tyler Roehl who departed to become the offensive coordinator at Iowa State. Oliver has been with the Lions organization for the past five seasons, including the last three as the assistant offensive line coach.

Why it matters

The tight ends position is a key part of the Lions' offense, and the team is hoping that Oliver's experience and familiarity with the organization will help continue the development of young tight end Sam LaPorta, who is expected to have a breakout season.

The details

Oliver originally joined the Lions in 2021 as an offensive quality control coach. Prior to the NFL, he spent five years coaching in college, including stints as an offensive graduate assistant at Idaho and as an assistant coach at Montana State-Northern. The Lions are hoping Oliver's experience working with offensive linemen will translate well to coaching tight ends, who are often asked to contribute in both the passing and running game.

  • Oliver will enter his sixth NFL season with the Lions in 2026.
  • Oliver previously spent three years as the team's assistant offensive line coach from 2023-2025.
  • Oliver originally joined the Lions as an offensive quality control coach in 2021.

The players

Steve Oliver

The new tight ends coach for the Detroit Lions, who has been with the organization for the past five seasons in various roles.

Tyler Roehl

The former tight ends coach for the Detroit Lions, who departed the team to become the offensive coordinator at Iowa State.

Sam LaPorta

The young tight end for the Detroit Lions who is expected to have a breakout season working with new tight ends coach Steve Oliver.

Trey McBride

An Arizona Cardinals tight end who praised the work of new Lions tight ends coach Drew Petzing, and believes Sam LaPorta will thrive in the Lions' offense.

Drew Petzing

The former Cardinals tight ends coach who is now the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think that's something that, you've got to run the football and you put big bodies in there, tight ends, to do it and he did a great job of getting us open, running, passing, mixing it up with the 13 personnel stuff. I got a lot of respect for Drew and I'm excited to see what he can do at another team.”

— Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals tight end (Detroit Free Press)

“He's going to thrive. I'm like. 'You're going to love it.' He's obviously, I had a great couple years under Drew, and I think Sam will do the same. He's a tremendous player, a great tight end and have nothing but respect for him, too.”

— Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals tight end (Detroit Free Press)

What’s next

The Lions will be hoping that Oliver's promotion and experience working with the offensive line will help continue the development of young tight end Sam LaPorta, who is expected to have a breakout season in 2026 under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

The takeaway

The Lions are promoting from within to fill their tight ends coaching vacancy, betting that Steve Oliver's familiarity with the organization and experience working with offensive linemen will translate well to coaching tight ends and helping develop Sam LaPorta into a star in the team's offense.