Recapping jobs Lions staffers interviewed for this weekend and a reminder how team's next opponent will be determined
The Detroit Lions had the weekend off, but coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson stayed busy with multiple interviews for head coaching vacancies.
Let’s catch you up on those confirmed and reported conversations, which were conducted virtually, per NFL rules.
Aaron Glenn interviews
Additionally, the New England Patriots requested to talk to Glenn, but he declined the opportunity, according to the NFL Network.
There continues to be a lot of momentum for Glenn returning to New Orleans, where he finished his playing career and later served as an assistant coach. In the past week, he’s picked up endorsements from several of the franchise’s former players, most notably future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, running back Reggie Bush, and three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
“He’s coached with Sean Payton, he’s coached with Dan Campbell," Brees said. "When you talk about culture builders, he’s been around guys that know how to do that. I think he would be a great choice.”
Of course, the Saints aren’t the only franchise Glenn has worked for in the past. He was drafted in the first round by the Jets and spent the first eight years of his playing career with the team. Then, before entering coaching, Glenn spent a year as a pro personnel scout with the team.
Longtime Jets safety and Glenn teammate Victor Green loves the idea of Glenn leading the franchise.
"This needs to be our coach," Green said. "He is so real and right. A lot of coaches don’t have this mentality. And I can speak to that firsthand. Hire the man. I may come out of retirement."
Ben Johnson interviews
For the second straight offseason, Johnson is one of the most coveted options available. And just like last year, rumors about the Lions offensive coordinator taking another job are aggressively flying around.
The latest, from the NFL Network, has the Raiders pulling out all the stops to land Johnson as the team’s next coach.
“He has quickly emerged as the candidate to watch for Las Vegas, as the Raiders — in a search that prominently includes limited partner Tom Brady — are willing to wait as long as it takes to secure their potential future head coach,” Ian Rapoport reported.
The Raiders fired general manager Tom Telesco late last week and have more than $100 million in projected cap space to go along with the No. 6 pick in the draft. That creates an opportunity for a quick turnaround.
What the Raiders lack is a quality quarterback in place. The Jaguars can offer not only Trevor Lawrence, but some young and talented weapons around the quarterback in Brian Thomas Jr., and running backs Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby.
The Patriots, like the Raiders, have relatively bare cupboards. That said, second-year quarterback Drake Maye likely carries plenty of appeal.
Update: 10:45 a.m. — Mike Vrabel has been named the Patriots next coach.
Chris Spielman interviews
The news Spielman is drawing interest from the Jets surprised many Lions fans. When the legendary linebacker took the Lions job in 2020, he stated he wasn’t qualified to be a general manager. Later, in a sit-down with me in 2023, he noted he had no interest in other jobs in Detroit, loved his current role, and planned to step away after helping the team win a Super Bowl.
“I never succeeded as a player, and I have one more chance to succeed,” Spielman said. “Success is defined as winning a Super Bowl. I didn't succeed. I fell short. So, I have one more shot.
"...When Sheila (Hamp), Dan (Campbell) and Brad (Holmes) hold up a Super Bowl trophy — this is my No. 1 goal — and I'm sitting in the back thinking, 'I'm good. I'm done. See you,'" he said. "I'll be in Sanibel hanging out with a drink."
But a lot can change in two years. Spielman has undoubtedly learned a ton about the inner workings of a successful rebuild while playing a key role in overhauling the culture throughout the organization.
With brother Rick Spielman, who formerly served as the Vikings general manager, part of the search team for the Jets, it’s even less surprising Chris is getting a look for the vacancy. Of course, there's a lot of competition. He’s one of 13 candidates who have met with the team about the job, including former Lions personal executive and current Commander assistant GM Lance Newmark.
DeShea Townsend interviews
Townsend, who played more than a decade in the league and has coached defensive backs since 2011 at both the college and professional levels, helped orchestrate significant improvements in Detroit's pass coverage during his first year with the team.
There’s no obvious connection to Kyle Shanahan, but the 49ers coach praised Detroit’s year-to-year coverage improvements ahead of a Week 17 matchup with the Lions.
The 49ers fired first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen last week. The next hire will mark the team’s fourth defensive coordinator in four years. Another candidate who has interviewed for the team’s vacancy is Robert Saleh, the former Jets coach who led the 49ers defense for four years prior to taking that position.
Hank Fraley interviews
One of the game’s most respected offensive line coaches, Fraley reportedly interviewed for the Seahawks offensive coordinator position last week.
Fraley has no overlap with Seahawks coach Mike McDonald, but the two presumably crossed paths when McDonald served as the University of Michigan’s defensive coordinator in 2021.
Fraley played 10 seasons in the NFL — starting 123 games at center for the Eagles, Browns and Rams — before moving into coaching. He’s held multiple jobs coaching linemen at the college and pro levels, joining the Lions as an assistant o-line coach in 2018 before taking over the room in 2020.
Under his tutelage, the team’s unit has developed into one of the league’s best, led by All-Pros Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell, and complemented by veterans Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler and Jonah Jackson across those campaigns.
According to Pro Football Focus, Seattle’s offensive line ranked 31st in the NFL last season. The team surrendered 54 sacks and averaged fewer than 100 yards per game rushing, finishing bottom-five in both categories
What’s next for the Lions?
The Lions hope to know their Divisional round opponent by the end of Sunday’s Wild Card slate. That will happen if either the Green Bay Packers or Washington Commanders can win on the road.
If the Packers beat the Philadelphia Eagles in a game set to kick off at 4:30 p.m., the Lions will host the Packers at Ford Field next weekend. And if the Packers lose, but the Commanders top the Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday night, it will be Washington making the trip to Detroit.
In either of those scenarios, the Lions’ Divisional round game will most likely be played next Saturday.
If the NFC home teams — the Eagles and Buccaneers — take care of business on Sunday, the Lions must wait until Monday to learn their opponent. They would host the winner of the final game of the Wild Card round, between the Rams and Vikings, which has been moved to Phoenix, Ariz. as wildfires ravage Los Angeles.
A matchup against the Vikings/Rams at Ford Field would likely be held on Sunday. Jan. 19.
I’ll be setting up and participating in a live chat during the NFC games in the Detroit Football Network’s chat. Feel free to stop by.
Washington seems to be my first choice for several reasons: rookie qb, bad defense, and an opponent the fans haven’t seen this year
Hope this coaching and player roster can overcome whatever to win a Superbowl.