ALLEN PARK >> After an offseason of change on the Detroit Lions’ coaching staff, many familiar faces on the roster returned to practice last week and proclaimed that not much has changed at all.

Well, except for the unexpected retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, which certainly throws a wrench in the operation as the team prepares to break for summer. But from a scheme standpoint, players on both sides of the ball are seeing a high degree of carryover from seasons past.

New offensive coordinator John Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard have big shoes to fill, taking over for Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who both departed in January for first-time head coaching gigs.

Last week marked the first time the wheels of their innovation went into motion, as veterans hit the practice field for the first time this offseason to install their schemes on both sides of the ball. The pressure to uphold a particular standard exists primarily on offense, where Johnson guided the team to top-five units in three consecutive seasons.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who worked with Morton during the 2022 turnaround season (Morton was a senior offensive assistant at the time), said most of the changes on offense are subtle.

“It’s fun. It’s a challenge, and it’s new stuff, it’s new communication. It’s different ways he likes to do things and learning each other,” Goff said. “I love Johnny Mo. I have familiarity with Johnny. … Some of it’s changing, some of it’s remaining the same. The biggest challenge is just getting on the same page with what we like, and we’re just constantly working through that. No different than any of the new coaches here.”

Goff arguably enjoyed the most success of anybody during the three seasons with Johnson at coordinator, culminating with a 2024 campaign in which Goff finished fifth in MVP voting while being named to his fourth Pro Bowl. He completed 72.4% of his passes for 4,629 yards, 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Lions won a franchise-best 15 games in the regular season.

He gave his new coordinator a vote of confidence on Friday, saying, “Johnny’s done a hell of a job up to this point.”

While it’s true the Lions will have to overcome the departure of some key coaches, every offensive starter except right guard Kevin Zeitler and Ragnow is set to return. Detroit even added some offensive firepower, selecting two guards and two wide receivers in April’s NFL Draft.

Meanwhile, its budding core will have another year of experience and growth under its belt. Wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta should still, in theory, be getting better.

“We want to take a step forward,” Goff said. “If anything, we’re trying to be better, trying to learn from our mistakes last year and find ways to get better off of them. We’ve got guys that are a year older and a little bit more mature and coming into their own and it’s fun.”

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said it’s just about nailing down the nuances.

“All in all, it’s more about, ‘This is how I want it. This is my style of coaching. This is what I’m looking for,’” Campbell said of the offense.

Defensively, players are learning what the linebackers already knew: Sheppard is one intense dude.

“Shep is a guy that holds everybody accountable, that’s what I really like,” said cornerback D.J. Reed, who signed with the Lions in free agency on a three-year deal worth $48 million. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve played in the league for 10 years or you’re a rookie, everybody’s held to the same standard, and I like that.

“He knows the defense really well and he … pretty much dumbs it down for us so we can just play, so I like that as well. … Shep, he brings the energy, too. He’s a leader. Some guys just have that dominant alpha personality and he definitely has that.”

Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, who’s entering his third season under Sheppard, said the only difference is “now he’s got a mic in his hand and he’s in your helmet.”

Jack Campbell noted the importance of Detroit getting on the same page quickly, as the Lions will not hold a mandatory minicamp. Players will arrive early for training camp in advance of their participation in the Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers on July 31.

“I’m happy for him (Sheppard). He deserves it. The whole coaching staff on the defensive side has done a great job. We’ve just got to keep improving,” Campbell said. “Just with the circumstances of the Hall of Fame Game and stuff, we got less practice time, so we got to make sure we’re doing well.”

The Lions’ last OTA open to the media will take place later this week. Afterward, players will officially break for the summer and return for training camp in the back half of July.