Since the Detroit Lions shelled out big money to keep offensive coordinator Ben Johnson earlier this year it likely means there is a good chance they lose their other star coordinator due to his growing reputation as a top head coach candidate around the NFL.
After the first six weeks of the new NFL season, the 5-1 Detroit Lions are one of the biggest stories in the league. Yet, they aren’t necessarily seen as a surprise team in 2023. That happened last year when the 9-8 squad was still in the playoff chase late in the season. Their competitive play last year was due in no small part to the outstanding performance of quarterback Jared Goff and the rest of the offense.
Related: Week 7 NFL power rankings – 49ers and Eagles drop, Detroit Lions at No. 1
However, this season, they have taken a big step forward because their weakness last season — defense — has become equally as good as their O. Heading into this weekend the unit is top-10 in yards and points against (18.8) per game this season. A huge turnaround from when they were statistically one of the worst units in the game.
Detroit Lions Aaron Glenn expected to get serious head coach interest after this season
Along with some key additions, much of the credit for their improved play goes to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. The former New York Jets star was already a head coach candidate for the last couple of years, however, on Wednesday ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano explained why what the team has done this year might finally land him a head coaching job early in 2024.
“Aaron Glenn has helped himself considerably. Already a fixture on the head-coaching interview circuit the past two years, Glenn needed proof of concept on Detroit’s defense to bolster his candidacy,” Fowler wrote. “He has now done that with this year’s unit, which is tied for fifth in yards allowed per play (4.7) and just held the Buccaneers to six points on Sunday. A rebuilt secondary has helped guide the Lions to six interceptions, and having a top-10 defense is a résumé-booster for Glenn.
Related: Detroit Lions Dan Campbell reveals positive update on Hendon Hooker
Graziano added, “Strong call on Glenn, who was a hot candidate a couple of years ago but wasn’t a big target for interviews last year. I think that does turn around for him.”
Johnson reportedly received head coach-type money to remain the organization’s offensive coordinator, which is rare. The Detroit Lions will not be doing that for two coordinators if push comes to shove.