The day after the NFL regular season concludes is referred to as “Black Monday” for all the coaches who lose their jobs. This year is no different, with fresh openings in New England and Jacksonville in the last 24 hours.
For the Detroit Lions, the postseason is just starting. If there are coaching changes on Dan Campbell’s staff coming down the line, it will be out of necessity to replace an assistant (or two) who leaves for one of those vacancies. And we’re going to hear a lot about coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson as prime candidates for those openings.
The rumor mill is already spinning at warp speed. Johnson has been bantered about as the next potential coach of the Bears, Jets and Saints — all teams who fired coaches in-season. Detroit’s offensive coordinator has been coveted all season after interviews and dalliances with the Panthers, Colts and Commanders for head coaching vacancies in the last couple of offseasons.
Aaron Glenn is getting his love on the head coaching front after Detroit’s brilliantly suffocating performance in the Week 18 win over the Vikings. He’s already been connected to the Jets, Bears and Saints as someone those teams want to interview
Jets, Bears and Saints all are expected to request HC interviews for Lions DC Aaron Glenn.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025
It’s a good, healthy problem to have for Dan Campbell and the Lions. It’s part of the grind of trying to stay on top. Great coordinators will get opportunities elsewhere; that’s part of the expectation. Glenn and Johnson have earned the attention and the interviews, should they choose to try and land one of the head coaching gigs.