JANUARY 9: Glenn has five HC meetings booked; the Lions DC found time to accommodate a midweek Raiders request. But the invite the Patriots sent will not produce an interview. Glenn declined the New England meeting, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The fourth-year Lions assistant will still meet with the Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Saints and Raiders between tonight and Saturday.
Mike Vrabel is viewed as the clear frontrunner in New England, and he was able to meet in-person with the team today due to not being on a staff presently (those employed by other teams cannot yet meet with teams in-person). Glenn colleague Ben Johnson is on tap to meet about the job Friday, but reporting has continued to place Vrabel in pole position. Glenn may see the writing on the wall and would then devote his efforts to landing one of the other available jobs.
JANUARY 8: The Patriots have submitted a request to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. 
Glenn has now been requested by all six teams with a head coaching vacancy. He led Detroit’s defense to a top-1o scoring finish this season despite a myriad of injuries at all three levels. The former cornerback already has four interviews scheduled – with the Jets, Saints, Bears, and Jaguars – so he may not have time for two more this weekend while preparing for the Lions’ playoff run.
In place on Dan Campbell‘s staff since 2021, Glenn has seen his unit enjoy a turnaround this year relative to past performances (in certain categories, at least). Between that success and a continued endorsement from Campbell with respect to his head coaching readiness, it comes as little surprise the 52-year-old is one of the most sought-after candidates this year. Glenn’s playing career included time spent with the Jets, Jaguars and Saints, so he has a natural connection to those franchise’s vacancies.
Likewise, the three-time Pro Bowler spent time coaching in New Orleans, and as such he represents a candidate to return to the city during the 2025 hiring cycle. No such connections exist between the Glenn and the Patriots. New England’s list of targets nevertheless continues to grow in the early stages of the process. The Patriots have already satisfied the Rooney Rule with yesterday’s interviews (Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton), but meeting with Glenn will add to the number of external minority candidates interviewed for their vacancy.
Jerod Mayo was dismissed on Sunday after his first season as Bill Belichick‘s successor. Former Patriots Mike Vrabel and Brian Flores have been connected to the job, but Glenn is among the top options on the market if owner Robert Kraft elects to go in a different direction with this hire.
Via PFR’s head coaching search tracker, here is an updated look at New England’s search:
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interested in position
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interview declined
- Pep Hamilton, former offensive coordinator (Texans): Interviewed 1/7
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): To interview 1/10
- Byron Leftwich, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/7
- Mike Vrabel, former head coach (Titans): To interview 1/9
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Ben Johnson, please and thank you.
Agreed.
I see guys like Flores and Glen and Vrabel and Monken landing somewhere but not here. Maybe Vrabel/Monken to the Saints/Raiders, Glen to Chicago and Flores to Jacksonville.
I have heard the rationale that Ben Johnson’s scheme fits a QB like Maye.
Do you care to explain the rationale for why these coaches go to the places you mention?
Or, is there a reason you don’t like Vrabel for the Pats?
Damn homeboy declined hahah
He probably realized its not a real interview and didnt want to waste his time
I agree. Everyone and their mother’s uncle knows Vrabel is main guy in radar. He sensed Rooney rule nonsense and smartly declined
Or he knows Ben Johnson is taking the Pats job if offered bc he wants to work with Drake Maye.
Lions want both out of the NFC.
I don’t know, if he wants to work with a young QB, Jacksonville looks better than the Pats as they also have young weapons in Brian Thomas and Etienne, in addition to T-Law.
He was a Jet, so he may just hate the Pats.
His exact reply was probably, “just call Art Shell. That’s what he’s there for.”
Uh…tell them lm busy. Idk make something up.
lol. Why would anyone want that job? Pats fans have already tied themselves to Mack jones 2.0 (Drake maye)…
Wow. So the Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Saints and Raiders jobs are more desirable to Glenn than the Pats job. Some dysfunctional franchises in there. Wonder what Glenn’s reasoning is.
It’s about that big fat guaranteed HC contract. No more low coordinatir pay. Disfunction? Who cares!