Patriots Rumors: Aaron Glenn HC Interview Requested amid Mike Vrabel, Johnson Buzz

Andrew PetersJanuary 8, 2025

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One of the most popular candidates in this year’s coaching cycle got another interview request on Wednesday.

Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the New England Patriots requested to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their vacant head coaching position. With New England’s request, Glenn has now received an interview request from all six teams without a head coach.

Glenn, a three-time Pro Bowler during his playing days, started his coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2014. After two seasons in Cleveland, he served as the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016 to 2020.

His success with the Saints led to his first defensive coordinator job for the Lions in 2021. With Glenn leading the defense, the Lions went from winning just three games in his first season at the helm to winning 15 games this season as Detroit was tied for the best record in the league and earned the top seed in the NFC.

This season, the Lions gave up just 20.1 points per game, the seventh-best mark in the league, despite being without a number of key starters, including star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who played just five games.

Amid Glenn’s popularity, Lions head coach Dan Campbell raved about his defensive coordinator.

“He’s as good of a coach as you’re going to find,” Campbell said Tuesday, per the Detroit Free Press’ Rainer Sabin. “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.”

With the Lions getting a playoff bye this week, Glenn will start interviewing with teams virtually. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Glenn has interviews with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars scheduled between Thursday and Sunday.

After the interviews, Glenn will shift his focus back to the Lions, who are looking to cap off their tremendous season with a Super Bowl.