The list of teams interested in Detroit Lions’ Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn keeps getting longer. Johnson is the team’s sought-after offensive coordinator, while Glenn is the Lions’ defensive coordinator. While there’s been talk all season about Johnson getting scooped up by another NFL team as their head coach next season, only recently, there’s been talk about Glenn also being pulled away. It’s not good news for the Detroit Lions, but it happens.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday (Jan. 15) that both Johnson and Glenn are booking interviews with a lot of teams. He added that they’ll try to make room for those interviews Friday (Jan. 19) after practice or Saturday (Jan. 20) between walk-through and night meetings. The Detroit Lions have a huge playoff game on Sunday (Jan. 21) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so really, both coaches’ focuses should remain on the Lions until they’ve finished their business for the season. But, Campbell is kind enough to let the guys spend some time with these other interested teams. I wish they’d wait until the Lions finish their run this season, which could go all the way to the Super Bowl. But, I guess Dan is a nicer guy than myself.
This marks Johnson’s second season as Lions offensive coordinator. It’s wild to see how he’s turned this team’s offense around in just two seasons. The Lions went from a dismal offensive line to one of the strongest in the NFL. He reportedly has interview requests from five teams: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders.
Glenn is in his third season as Lions defensive coordinator. He also has interview requests from all of those teams except the Chargers. What’s more, the Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders are currently formalizing their interview requests, and they also have head coach job openings.
It’s difficult to see where Johnson and Glenn could end up. For Johnson, though, many speculate he’ll go to Washington or Los Angeles. Washington, reportedly, has him as their top candidate. His family is also near the Carolina Panthers, but given that team’s volatility, it would be a bit surprising to see him end up there. Still, the Panthers reportedly have him as their top candidate, too, so it’s a possibility. Carolina reportedly is going aggressively go after Johnson, as they want a coach that can maximize quarterback Bryce Young’s potential, much like Johnson did with Jared Goff in Detroit. Johnson is often credited as the guy who resurrected Goff’s career and brought back Goff’s self-confidence.
While there is interest in Glenn as a head coach, it’s more expected that he’ll return to Detroit next season. But, anything could happen.
The Detroit Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 21) in the divisional round of the playoffs. If they win, they’ll actually advance to the NFC championship game for the second time in the team’s history in the Super Bowl era. It would be a great thing for America’s team. Last weekend, the Lions beat the Los Angeles Rams in a thrilling victory over their former quarterback, Matthew Stafford, who is now with the Rams.