Dan Campbell reveals Lions plan if Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn get head coach jobs

Posted by Admin January 20, 2025 Jobs

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The Detroit Lions are bracing to have two new coordinators for the 2025 NFL season.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said in his season-ending news conference Monday he expects both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to take head-coaching positions elsewhere in 2025.

“I would expect to lose both, but I haven’t been told anything,” Campbell said at the team facility in Allen Park. “I just, I’ve got a feeling, but I am prepared to lose both.”

Johnson interviewed virtually with five teams during the Lions’ first-round playoff bye and is believed to be a top candidate for job openings with the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Glenn interviewed virtually with four teams during the bye and is a favorite to land a job with the New Orleans Saints or New York Jets.

Both Johnson and Glenn are eligible to be interviewed in person and be hired now that the Lions’ season is over. According to NFL Network, Glenn will visit the Jets on Tuesday and Saints later in the week.

The Lions went 15-2 in the regular season, tied for the second-best record in the NFL, but lost in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday night to the Washington Commanders, 45-31.

Campbell said the Lions have several in-house candidates that would make “outstanding” coordinators should Johnson and Glenn leave.

“But that does not mean that I’m not looking outside, either,” he said.

On offense, line coach Hank Fraley interviewed for the Seattle Seahawks’ vacant offensive coordinator job this offseason and is a candidate to join Johnson’s staff as coordinator if not elevated in Detroit.

Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El and passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand interviewed for coordinator jobs elsewhere last year, and Engstrand has previous play-calling experience in college and the NFL.

“This thing is set up for (Jared) Goff to have success with our playmakers,” Campbell said. “(Amon-Ra) St. Brown, our running backs, the O-line, the whole deal. Jamo (Jameson Williams). And so I want to keep that in place. I want to keep our terminology in place, and I want to make sure that Goff is comfortable, cause he’s playing at a high level.”

Campbell said he solicit Goff’s input on the Lions’ next offensive coordinator, if Johnson leaves this offseason.

“That’s what Ben did a great job of is those guys working together,” he said. “And this system was kind of built from the ground up and it was to help him and for him to be a part of. So yeah, that’s huge. He’ll have a lot of input. What he says is going to have a – says a lot to me, I should say. Now, is it going to be the ultimate decision? No, it’s not, but what he says is going to mean a lot to me.”

Defensively, secondary coach Deshea Townsend interviewed for the San Francisco 49ers’ coordinator job and Glenn said this fall he was grooming linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to be a defensive coordinator.

No matter the makeup of his staff next season, Campbell said the Lions will not change their offensive or defensive philosophies. The Lions had the NFL’s highest-scoring offense this season, leaning heavily on a two-back rushing attack and creative play-action passing game. Defensively, Campbell said he wants to play plenty of man-to-man coverage and pressure opposing quarterbacks.

“I want what I believe is going to be as close to what we have been as possible,” he said. “And we don’t lose what we’re about and our identity and … we’re going to stay true to who we are. And if you’re somebody that doesn’t feel comfortable with that, then, no, I don’t want — this isn’t the job for you. So I’m not going to be in a hurry. I’m not in a mad dash. No matter what happens I want to do what’s right by our team and (hire someone who) will be able to stand in front of that room and command respect and get everybody going in the same direction and will ultimately deliver the same message that I’m delivering.”

Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline,” at 6:30 p.m. Monday at DC Sports in Sterling Heights. Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.