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CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Sunday the Detroit Lions, fresh off the termination of head coach Jim Schwartz, are interested in former Steelers offensive coordinator and Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt as his replacement.
Whisenhunt is currently the Chargers offensive coordinator, but appears to be on the fast track for one of multiple open head coaching positions.
La Canfora also added his connections to other coaches around the league, including Steelers linebackers coach (and defensive coordinator in waiting) Keith Butler.
Butler has been mentioned as a defensive coordinator candidate for multiple positions over the year, but hasn't jumped at any of them. The presumed and often whispered arrangement is Butler will take over as soon as Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau retires.
LeBeau oversaw the worst Steelers rushing defense in years, having finished 21st in the NFL, allowing over 115 rushing yards per game. While it's been said repeatedly LeBeau will end his own time in Pittsburgh, how long Butler will wait has to come into question at some point.
Whether that would be due to Whisenhunt's seemingly likely head coaching job for the 2014 season remains to be seen, but what's more clear is if Butler wanted to be a defensive coordinator elsewhere, he would have by now.
