Tag: Aaron Glenn

Top NFL insider isn’t yet convinced Ben Johnson will be the Commanders head coach

Ben Johnson not a lock to Washington?

Adam Schefter of ESPN is the No. 1 newsbreaker for all things NFL. When Schefter tweets something, it’s always right. No NFL reporter is more plugged in than Schefter.

Now that the Super Bowl matchup is decided and only two head coaching jobs remain, Schefter appeared on Monday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss those openings.

Schefter certainly thinks Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the next head coach for the Washington Commanders. Right?

What about Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn returning to Seattle as its new head coach?

The Ravens and Lions lost on Sunday, meaning that four of the finalists for the two remaining openings could be hired now.

OK, back to Johnson and the Commanders. While almost everyone else believes Johnson to Washington is a “foregone conclusion,” Schefter doesn’t buy into that notion.

“I’m not convinced yet that Ben Johnson is getting the Commanders’ job,” Schefter said. “I know people have said that he is the presumptive favorite, and he may get the job; he very well may; he is in contention, but that is not a slam dunk at all right now. They are definitely looking at other people, as well. And again, they may come back to Ben Johnson, but I think that they are pretty impressed with (Ravens DC) Mike Macdonald,  (Lions DC) Aaron Glenn and (Ravens AHC/DL coach) Anthony Weaver, as well. I think those guys are going to have a legitimate chance to get that job.”

Schefter then turned toward Johnson’s interview with Seattle.

“Ben Johnson’s also in play in Seattle,” Schefter said. “So you have to see if he doesn’t get Washington. Is he in Seattle? Or does Seattle pull an upset? People have said here that they think Ben Johnson is going to Washington and Dan Quinn is going to Seattle, and I will bet you, at a minimum, one of those is not right. At a minimum……maybe both.”

This is Schefter, so you must take this seriously. While all of the other NFL insiders from multiple networks, including some of Schefter’s colleagues at ESPN, all believe Johnson is heading to Washington.

Is this a case of the Commanders letting Schefter believe this search is still wide open, or is Washington sincerely waiting to complete interviews before making an offer?

The Commanders interviewed Weaver and Macdonald on Monday, while Johnson interviewed with the Seahawks. Washington is scheduled to interview Quinn, Johnson, and Glenn on Tuesday.

Will the Commanders have a decision by Wednesday?

It shouldn’t be long.

Commanders will give 2nd head coach interviews to both Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson

Commanders will give 2nd head coach interviews to both Lions coordinators, Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson

The NFL head coaching carousel is quickly spinning to a stop. One of the two remaining openings is in Washington, and both Lions coordinators are still very much in play to be the next head coach of the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders have already interviewed Lions DC Aaron Glenn and OC Ben Johnson remotely for their head coaching vacancy. They are now going to interview both of them for a second time now that the Lions postseason run is over. They are among five finalists who are going through second interviews on Monday and Tuesday.

Numerous reports have indicated that Johnson is the top candidate for the Commander’s job, though neither Johnson himself nor the Commanders have said so publicly. Expect the Commanders to make a decision by the middle of the week, if not sooner.

The Deebo Factor, and why the 49ers desperately need it

Deebo Samuel is the one player the 49ers need to get to the Super Bowl. Here’s why his health is crucial in the NFC Championship game.

One key reason the San Francisco 49ers have such a ridiculously efficient offense is that there are stars all over the roster. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and quarterback Brock Purdy have all established themselves as true tone-setters in Kyle Shanahan’s system, and that tends to manifest itself more often than not. And if you’re aware of a better left tackle than Trent Williams, that would certainly be breaking news.

But there’s no one player who does more to define Shanahan’s offense than receiver Deebo Samuel. That’s clear an obvious both on tape, and with the on/off splits.

Per Sports Info Solutions, Samuel has missed 320 plays this season, and he’s been on the field for 676 plays. When he’s on the field, the 49ers have an Offensive EPA of 0.18. Without him, 0.01. San Francisco’s Passing EPA with Samuel? 0.26. Without him? 0.06. And their Rushing EPA is 0.09 with Samuel; -0.05 without. Both in the run and the pass games, Samuel’s presence is crucial in any game, and certainly in Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions.

Samuel went out early in the 49ers’ divisional round win over the Green Bay Packers, and the difference was all the difference. Purdy was not as confident in his reads and throws without Samuel, and the offense lost an entire dimension without him.

“Yeah, it’s huge for us,” Purdy said this week about Samuel’s presence on the field. “Deebo is a game-changer. He is one of the best in the NFL at what he does. So obviously, for him to be able to play, all of us are like, all right, Deebo brings some juice and energy and we’ve got his back and so obviously seeing him run around at practice and look good for us, it’s like, all right, it’s on. So, we’re excited for him.”

Let’s start with Samuel’s explosive potential in the screen game. This 15-yard play on a tunnel screen against the Packers with 6:42 left in the first quarter was a simple example of, “Let’s get the ball to Deebo, and wait for good things to happen.” Which they usually do.

The 49ers have gained 5.6 yards per rushing attempt with Samuel on the field this season, and 4.1 yards per carry without him. Part of that is because Samuel himself can be a great runner out of the backfield, as he showed on this 11-yard sweep scamper against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18…

…and Samuel will also open gaps for other players, as he did on this 23-yard McCaffrey run against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14. Samuel sealed the inside edge for McCaffrey and took safety Jamal Adams to the shadow realm.

Not that Samuel is a primary deep receiver, but he can do that, as well. On this 40-yard catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11, the 49ers set up in 11 personnel with a three-man vertical concept in which Samuel and receiver Jauan Jennings crossed over, and nobody in Tampa Bay’s Cover-3 accounted for No. 19.

Not the way the Bucs drew it up, I’d imagine. And when Samuel does catch the ball downfield, he’s not done yet — he’s one of the NFL’s best yards-after-catch receivers. 546 of his 916 receiving yards have come after the catch this season, the most among San Francisco’s roster of receivers.

In this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get deeper into what Samuel means to this offense, and how the Lions might deal with it all.

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os,” previewing both conference championship games in detail, right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

17 ex-Saints will compete in AFC, NFC Championship Games

17 ex-Saints players and coaches will compete in the AFC, NFC Championship Games for a shot at advancing to Super Bowl LVIII:

The New Orleans Saints won’t be competing in this weekend’s AFC and NFC Championship Games, but many of their former players and coaches will be fighting for the chance to advance to Super Bowl LVIII.

By our count, 17 former Saints have a shot at moving on to the final stage — here’s a quick look at the list suiting up for the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Two more head coaching jobs filled while Lions assistants keep playing on

Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn are still prepping the Lions for the NFC Championship game while 2 more head coaching jobs got filled

Detroit Lions assistant coaches Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson are busy preparing the team for the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. But they’re also head coaching candidates for several of the vacancies around the league.

There are two less of those vacancies now that there were 24 hours ago.

On Wednesday night, news broke that Jim Harbaugh was leaving Michigan and the college ranks behind to accept the head coaching gig with the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s a position that both Glenn and Johnson interviewed for last weekend.

Some 18 hours later, multiple reports indicate the Carolina Panthers have hired Dave Canales as their new head coach. Canales, 42, was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 after spending years as an offensive assistant with the Seattle Seahawks.

While Glenn never interviewed with the Panthers, Johnson was an early favorite to be offered the position. He was the top choice for Panthers owner Dave Tepper last offseason, when Johnson pulled his name from consideration after interviewing with Carolina.

Johnson is still regarded as a prime candidate for the Washington Commanders head coaching vacancy. One report on Thursday even had Johnson as “a lock” to be the new coach there, though that remains to be seen.

Aaron Glenn says Lions EDGE James Houston ‘is very close’ to playing

Detroit DC Aaron Glenn says Lions EDGE James Houston ‘is very close’ to playing in the NFC Championship game

James Houston hasn’t been active for a Detroit Lions game since Week 2. In the loss to the Seahawks back in September, the second-year pass rusher suffered a serious ankle injury.

The Lions activated Houston from the injured reserve prior to the NFC Divisional round game against the Buccaneers, but he was inactive for Sunday’s game. The prolonged absence has many Lions fans crying foul over how the team has handled the 2022 rookie sack phenom.

“I think he’s very close,” Glenn said of Houston. “The thing we want to do is protect that player from himself for the most part.”

Glenn continued,

“I do NOT take injuries lightly. Especially to make sure we listen to the medical department to make sure we bring that player along exactly how he needs to come along.”

Houston was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, though it was a walkthrough. Given how poorly Romeo Okwara and John Cominsky fared at the EDGE role opposite Aidan Hutchinson in the Buccaneers game, it seems safe to say that if Glenn, the medical staff and the Lions coaches think Houston is capable of playing, he’ll be on the field in San Francisco for the NFC Championship game.

Will Commanders GM Adam Peters attend the Senior Bowl?

The Senior Bowl begins next week. The Commanders will have a busy week.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is the official kickoff to draft season. That’s where NFL scouts, coaches and others gather for one week to watch practice and put draft-eligible players through drills in preparation for the actual game.

Each team is coached by numerous NFL assistant coaches, a departure from the past, where each side would be coached by an entire NFL team’s coaching staff.

With the NFL world convening in Mobile, Alabama, it’s also a bit of a job fair for coaches and executives looking to land their next gig. Practices begin on Monday, Jan. 29, with the game being played on Saturday, Feb. 3.

The Washington Commanders hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Commanders also have three of the top 40 picks and six selections among the first 102. Washington has had a lot of success in selecting players from the Senior Bowl over the years, with Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson Jr. and Sam Howell among current Commanders who’ve stood out during Senior Bowl week.

Washington also has a new general manager. So, certainly, Adam Peters will be in Mobile, right?

A longtime scout who made his name as a scout with the Patriots before moving into different roles with more responsibility with the Broncos and 49ers, Peters is considered by many to be the NFL’s top talent evaluator. Executives like Peters are made for Senior Bowl week.

Of course, Peters just started his new job with Washington. He also hasn’t hired a head coach yet. Remember, the Commanders are traveling to Detroit to meet Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for a second interview next week. Washington will also likely interview defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, too. The Commanders could also interview Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver again, too.

Additionally, Peters has plenty of decisions to make regarding the makeup of his front office. Will he keep current Martin Mayhew on in a different role? What about Marty Hurney? Eric Stokes?

It will be interesting to see if Peters travels with Washington’s contingent to Mobile next week. The front office/scouting staff has a different season than the coaches. They will likely stay on until after the draft, and then Peters would likely make moves to bring in some of his own people.

In a normal year, Peters would be at the Senior Bowl, watching every snap, every drill, but this time around, he may rely on Washington’s current staff to handle those details while he lines up the next head coach.

Don’t be surprised if Peters makes an appearance in Alabama next week. Regardless, he’ll be a busy man.

Lions vs. Buccaneers: What I learned from film study of Detroit’s playoff win

Lions vs. Buccaneers: What I learned from film study of Detroit’s playoff win from Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon

Fresh off the first Detroit Lions postseason victory since the 1991 season, the team decided that one win wasn’t enough. The Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-23, in Ford Field in Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round matchup to advance to the NFC Championship in San Francisco.

Just like the win over the Rams a week earlier, this was a stressful game decided in the fourth quarter. The first three quarters all ended with the score tied. The tension of such a closely-played, high-stakes contest shone through even on the silent All-22 game film.

This week’s film rewatch of the game, both of the broadcast feed and the All-22, revealed a lot about the Lions and where they win and lose games. Here’s some of what I took away from the rewatch.

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Falcons request in-person interviews with 2 Detroit Lions coordinators

REPORT: Falcons have requested in-person interviews with Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn

The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed most of the top available candidates for their head coach vacancy, but a handful of coaches are getting a second look.

According to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein, the team has requested in-person interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Both coaches previously took virtual interviews with the Falcons and are among the most sought-after candidates this coaching cycle. Aside from Taylor Swift dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Detroit’s emergence has been arguably the biggest story in the NFL this season.

The Lions are headed to the NFC championship game after defeating the Buccaneers in the divisional round. Prior to this season, the team had gone over 30 years without a division title or playoff win. The offense has been a powerhouse under Johnson while the defense has rallied around the leadership of Glenn.

The Falcons are also expected to hold additional interviews with Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

In other news, Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen took a job with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday. Here’s an updated list of every coach that Atlanta has interviewed thus far.

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Titans to hire Bengals OC Brian Callahan as head coach

Titans hire Bengals OC Brian Callahan as head coach, which means Tennessee didn’t hire Aaron Glenn or Ben Johnson

The Tennessee Titans have themselves a new head coach. Tennessee has decided on Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as the new head coach, succeeding Mike Vrabel.

The Titans opening was one that Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn interviewed for over the weekend, and Glenn was considered by some as one of the favorites to land the position. Cross that one off the list.

There are still five head coaching vacancies after Callahan’s hiring, and also the Raiders option to keep interim head coach Antonio Pierce for their gig. Both Glenn and Lions OC Ben Johnson have interviewed for the openings with the Chargers and Commanders.

Callahan, 39, had been the Bengals offensive coordinator for the last three seasons. He’s known for his work with QB Joe Burrow and also the surprising development of Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning. He is the son of longtime NFL offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who currently serves in that role for the Browns.