The Detroit Lions are 14-2 heading into their much-anticipated game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, January 5 at Ford Field in Detroit. They’ve broken all kinds of franchise records this season, as they did last season when they made it all the way to the NFC Championship game.
With the Lions doing so well, it’s a sure bet that offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will be among the most coveted coaching candidates during the offseason.
Where Detroit Lions’ Ben Johnson Could End Up Coaching
Johnson has been linked to the Chicago Bears head coaching job. As Brad Berreman of SideLion Report noted in a December 30 story, “Their roster and salary cap situation are likeable, but there are questions about the situation above that in the front office and owner. And those questions may ultimately turn Johnson off.”
In a December 30 feature for Sports Illustrated, NFL expert and analyst Albert Breer says he isn’t sold on Johnson and the Bears being a fit.
“Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s name has been linked to Chicago forever. I think last year, the Bears would’ve been near the top of his list. This year? It’s probably more wait-and-see,” he stated. “He’ll be selective this year taking interviews, likely only to sit down with teams he can see himself working for.”
Breer added, “And while I expect him to take an interview with Chicago, his criteria will remain as we’ve outlined, with Johnson seeking alignment with a GM and an ownership group willing to identify and fix its mistakes. Maybe he’ll find that in Chicago. Maybe not. We’ll see.”
So, where could Johnson end up? Breer said that, “Plenty of folks feel like the fit for Johnson might be in Jacksonville.”
As Berreman notes, “Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson feels like a sure-fire ‘Black Monday’ firing, and general manager Trent Baalke should be out the door with him. Breer recently wondered if the Jaguars are a better fit for Johnson than the Bears, that insider perspective shouldn’t be ignored.”
NFL insider Benjamin Allbright also thinks Jacksonville as a franchise where Johnson could have “more carte blanche to implement his vision.”
The Jaguars don’t have many bright spots right now, but they do have promising quarterback Trevor Lawrence, so getting someone like Johnson who could work with Lawrence and really make him better would be a great thing for the team.
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn
As for Glenn, Breer mentioned the defensive coordinator in terms of the Jets job. He said candidates for New York would be “ready for the unique challenges in that market,” plus have “experience in the organization” or the “temperament for New York” and mentioned Glenn as a possibility.
“That makes the former Jet, Glenn, a name to watch in New Jersey, but the Jets likely won’t be the only team after the Lions’ defensive coordinator,” he said. “I’d expect the New Orleans Saints — who have hinted they’d like a person connected to the organization and with experience — to have Glenn high on their list.”