The Detroit Lions are entering the playoffs with a strong position, being the top seed in the NFC. They come off a bye week and will face the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round on Saturday, January 18. While the Lions have a lot to celebrate, including their top seed and home-field advantage, there are concerns about losing key members of their coaching staff after the season, which could impact their future success.
The Lions’ success this season has been driven by a mix of talented players, a solid coaching staff, and strong management under general manager Brad Holmes. However, there are fears that some of these crucial pieces, particularly the coordinators, may not return next year. Although this doesn’t necessarily mean the team will struggle in the future, it’s something fans and analysts are keeping an eye on.
NFL analysts are predicting that both of the Lions’ coordinators, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, are likely to be hired for head coaching positions elsewhere. Both have already interviewed for head coaching roles, and experts believe it’s almost certain that the Lions will lose one or both of them after this season. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter emphasized that he would be “really surprised” if either Glenn or Johnson didn’t land a head coaching job during this hiring cycle.
Schefter also expressed confidence that Aaron Glenn would be hired as a head coach this offseason, calling it a “major upset” if he didn’t secure a head coaching role. Both coordinators have been instrumental in the Lions’ successful season, with Johnson’s offense and Glenn’s defense contributing to the team’s impressive 15-2 record. The speculation surrounding their futures has created uncertainty for the Lions.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell, while focused on the team’s immediate playoff goals, was asked about the job search for his coordinators. He responded lightheartedly, questioning why he would want to know if his coordinators were planning to leave. Campbell acknowledged that he had some awareness of how the interviews were going, but he hadn’t pressed them for details. His priority remains the team’s current playoff run.
During a press conference on January 13, Campbell mentioned that he would eventually talk to Johnson and Glenn about their interviews and what had transpired, but he had not pushed them for information beforehand. Despite the uncertainty around the coordinators’ futures, Campbell remains focused on getting the team to the Super Bowl and doesn’t want distractions from the immediate goal.
The loss of both coordinators would be a significant blow to the Lions’ coaching staff, but Campbell’s leadership and the team’s overall talent could help them remain competitive in the future. The team’s focus on the playoffs remains the primary objective, but the potential departure of key coaching figures adds an extra layer of intrigue as the season progresses.
