NFL News: Aaron Glenn Reportedly Declines Patriots HC Interview amid Jets, Bears Buzz

Andrew PetersJanuary 9, 2025

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Aaron Glenn is getting interest from every team with a head coaching vacancy this offseason, but the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator has already pulled his name out of the running for one of those teams.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Glenn declined an interview request from the New England Patriots. He’ll interview with the other five teams in the coming days.

This includes the New York Jets, who announced they completed an interview with the coach on Thursday.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterHead coach interview schedule for Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn:

🏈Thursday pm: Jets
🏈Friday am: Saints
🏈Friday pm: Raiders
🏈Saturday am: Jaguars
🏈Saturday pm: Bears pic.twitter.com/U543mRrvyk

Glenn’s popularity this year makes sense given his success in Detroit over the last few years. He joined the Lions’ staff in 2021 when Dan Campbell took over as head coach and helped lead the team from winning just three games in 2021 to going 15-2 this year.

Detroit finished inside the top 10 in team defense this season despite having a number of key starters dealing with injuries. The most notable injury for the Lions this year was star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who played just five games. Even with no Hutchinson for most of the season, Detroit gave up the fifth-fewest rushing yards in 2024.

Perhaps Glenn’s most impressive feat this season was his defense’s performance against the Minnesota Vikings last week. With the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line, Glenn’s defense limited the Vikings to just 262 yards of total offense and kept them out of the endzone entirely.

“He’s as good of a coach as you’re going to find,” Campbell said of Glenn earlier this week, per the Detroit Free Press’ Jared Ramsey. “He’s an even better human being. If nobody wants him, I’ll take him again, I can tell you that right now. But the thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach, is ridiculous.”

Glenn has more than a decade of experience as an NFL coach now, but he’s still waiting to get his first head-coaching job. With five interviews lined up, he’ll likely get his chance this offseason.