The Detroit Lions lost OC Ben Johnson on Monday. They may lose DC Aaron Glenn on Tuesday.
The Detroit Lions could find themselves without both of their coordinators just three days after their Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders . Per several reports, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson agreed to become the Chicago Bears next head coach on Monday. It appears defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn may make his decision just a day later.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New York Jets are scheduled to meet Glenn on Tuesday and their intention is to not let him leave .
“The deal isn’t done and there are still some particulars to discuss,” Rapoport tweeted Tuesday morning. “But if all goes well, he could end today as HC of the NYJ.”
Glenn also reportedly has a meeting scheduled with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, but it appears he may not make it to that one.
In his four years with the Lions, Glenn only produced one top-10 defense in Detroit (in 2024). However, he largely dealt with a young, injured roster during his entire tenure. He helped build that unit from the ground up, and Glenn was huge in setting a culture of respect, collaboration, and trust. In an NFLPA survey done in 2023, no coordinator in football was more popular among his players than Glenn.
Lions coach Dan Campbell made a compelling argument earlier this month for Glenn as an NFL head coach.
“He’s as good a coach as you’re going to find, he’s an even better human being,” Glenn said. “Look, if nobody wants him, I’ll take him again. I can tell you that right now. The thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous. I mean this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands discipline of players and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring.”
Due to an NFL initiative to promote minority candidates, if Glenn does get hired this coaching cycle, it will set the Lions up with two third-round compensatory picks, one in 2025, one in 2026. Those compensatory picks will be at the very end of the third round, after any other third-round compensatory picks are awarded via free agent losses.