The Detroit Lions won’t be losing their offensive coordinator this offseason, but there’s still a chance they could have someone new running their defense in 2023.
The Arizona Cardinals will interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for their head coaching vacancy on Saturday, NFL Network reported Wednesday.
Glenn interviewed for the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos head coaching jobs last season, and was considered to be the runner-up to Dennis Allen in New Orleans, and met virtually with the Indianapolis Colts about their head coaching job over the weekend.
The Lions finished last in the NFL in total defense this season and tied for 28th in points allowed (25.1 ppg), but Glenn is considered a strong leader and communicator who is well-liked by players. He played 15 NFL seasons with five teams and was selected to three Pro Bowls.
On Tuesday, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson informed the team he planned to stay in Detroit in 2023.
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Johnson had virtual interviews with three teams, the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and Colts, and was reportedly one of the favorites for the Panthers job. The Lions had one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL this season, and quarterback Jared Goff played some of the best football of his career under Johnson’s tutelage.
Coming off a 9-8 season, the Lions could have continuity at all three coordinator spots heading into the 2023 season, when they will be the favorite to win the NFC North.
The Cardinals went 4-13 this season and lost their final seven games to finish in last place in the NFC West. Quarterback Kyler Murray tore his ACL in December, the Cardinals fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury after the season, and general manager Steve Keim resigned amid what the team term health problems.
The Cardinals hired Monti Ossenfort, the former Tennessee Titans director of player personnel and an ex-scout with the New England Patriots, as general manager on Monday.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.