The Detroit Lions suffered a tough and unexpected loss against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, January 18, during their playoff matchup at Ford Field. Despite being heavily favored to win by double digits, the Lions fell in a surprising 45-31 defeat, leaving fans stunned and disappointed.
Adding to the disappointment, the Lions now face more troubling news that could have long-term implications for the franchise’s future.
Dallas Cowboys Eyeing a Detroit Lions Key Figure
Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson (offensive) and Aaron Glenn (defensive) are among the most coveted names for head coaching positions this offseason. Both have played pivotal roles in the Lions’ rebuilding efforts, and losing them could be a significant blow to the team’s progress. Many NFL analysts predict that both could secure head coaching roles with other teams soon.
The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly showing strong interest in Glenn to replace former head coach Mike McCarthy. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shared that Dallas is “intrigued by Aaron Glenn” and expressed a desire to interview him. NFL insider Jordan Schultz echoed this sentiment, labeling Glenn as a key figure to watch in the Cowboys’ head coaching search.
Glenn’s connection to the Cowboys extends back to his playing days, as he was part of the team from 2005-06 and has ties to former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells. For Lions fans, the prospect of seeing Glenn with one of their biggest NFC rivals would be especially painful. Meanwhile, other teams, including the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints, are also rumored to have Glenn on their radar, which might be easier for fans to accept than losing him to Dallas.
Ben Johnson Also in Demand
Meanwhile, Johnson is being linked to multiple head coaching opportunities, with the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders emerging as frontrunners. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that the Bears hold “significant interest” in Johnson as their next head coach, alongside former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio noted that Johnson remains in the early stages of deciding his future, giving Lions fans some hope that he might stay. Florio cited a source who described Johnson’s current decision-making process as still in “phase one.”
With the Lions now eliminated from the playoffs, both Glenn and Johnson are eligible to begin interviews for head coaching roles starting Monday, January 20, following the NFL’s Divisional Round rules.
Although the potential departure of Glenn and Johnson looms large, Lions fans can take solace in the fact that head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes remain committed to the team for the foreseeable future.
