Detroit Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard pushed back on claims that his Dolphins head coach interview was a Rooney Rule formality, saying the opportunity was very real.

Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard delivered a blunt message for cornerback Terrion Arnold heading into 2026, emphasizing maturity, consistency, and on-field production.

The Dolphins have requested to interview Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard for their vacant head coaching job, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

Add a former Miami Dolphins player into the mix for the team’s head coaching vacancy. The Dolphins have requested to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, according to a league source. That makes for seven known coaching candidates to emerge in three days of Miami’s coaching search upon hiring new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to spearhead the search. Sheppard, 38, ...