Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn put on the performance of the season Sunday night as his crew stifled Justin Jefferson and the high-powered Minnesota Vikings, holding an offense that scored 26.43 points per game entering Week 18 to a season-low 9.
With his decimated defense standing tall, the prime-time performance was a showcase for any club looking to hire a head coach. On Tuesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered a resounding reference to any owner willing to listen.
"Aaron Glenn is -- he's as good a coach as you're going to find, he's an even better human being," Campbell said, via the team's official transcript. "Look, if nobody wants him, I'll take him again. I can tell you that right now. The thought of going through another cycle and he's not somebody's head coach is ridiculous. I mean this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands offense, defense, special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands discipline of players and he's motivating, he's inspiring."
The Lions defense has been devastated by injury all season. Detroit currently has 13 defensive players on injured reserve, including the club's two best pressure producers, Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill, and top corner Carlton Davis. The brutal string saw one of the top defenses early in the season dip, but Glenn kept things afloat. Sunday's outing showed that his aggressive, physical style can be successful even without the top playmakers.
Most defenses would have cratered given all the injuries, but Glenn's unit plugs along, like The Little Engine that Could, getting key stops, particularly in the red zone.
The Lions allowed the second-lowest completion percentage (61.1) and the lowest passer rating (82.0) in 2024. Glenn's crew ranked tied for second in pass TDs allowed (18) and tied-fifth in INTs (16). The unit also finished fifth in rushing yards allowed per game (98.4) and tops in opponents' third down conversion percentage (32.4).
Campbell knows his club might be worse without Glenn at the helm, but roots for his DC to find a promotion.
"Anyway, I just -- I don't want to lose him, but I also root for the guy because I just think he's a hell of a coach," Campbell said. "But what he did the other day and what that defensive staff did and what our players did to have the plan in place of what we knew we needed to do and to watch them bring it to life, our players brought that plan to life and they did it and it speaks for itself. Three-of-13 on third down, 0-of-3 on fourth down, 0-of-4 in the red zone, only gave up five explosives. Three sudden changes really defensively had to go out there and were able to hold them back. That's significant, that's significant. So, just can't say enough good things."
Glenn has interviews on the books for head coaching gigs in Chicago, Jacksonville, New Orleans and New York. Given his résumé, how his defense has performed in the spotlight and his demeanor, it would be surprising if Glenn exited this hiring cycle without sitting in a big chair.
