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Where has Aaron Glenn interviewed? Jets, Saints among landing spots for Lions' DC

nick brinkerhoff, usa today
·4 min read

The NFL is a copycat league, so it only makes sense that the league is looking to replicate the Detroit Lions' model.

Previously unthinkable, the Motor City's franchise is now the apple of everyone's eye and are almost the "haves" in a league of "have nots." While the electric offense draws the praise and attention thanks to a dominant offensive line, league's best running back duo and a solid quarterback, the Detroit defense deserves some love too.

Coordinated by Aaron Glenn, the defensive coach is often overlooked while head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson steal the headlines.

Glenn's defense is finally getting some much-deserved recognition after the job he's done over the years and especially this season, with a mountain of injuries never impacting the unit in a negative way. Seen as a culture-changer and top tier motivator, it looks as though the Lions' DC will be calling somewhere else home next season, with a promotion to go with it.

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Here's a look at where Glenn has interviewed and where he might end up.

Who has Aaron Glenn interviewed with?

Glenn has interviewed with the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders thus far.

It's common to put offensive and defensive coaches in separate buckets, but Glenn says he is focused on just being a coach that is involved in all areas of the team. While he won't officially depart, or accept, a job until Detroit's season comes to a close, he has been a busy man nonetheless this postseason.

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Regardless, Glenn is going through the process being unapologetically himself.

"The one thing that I get out of all these interviews is, man, I’m going to be myself and either you like it or you don’t," Glenn said. "If you don’t, all good. I keep telling you, I have a great job here. And if you like it, if it’s an opportunity that I think is best for me and my family, then we’ll take a look at it."

Glenn famously turned down the Patriots' request for an interview, as the team opted to fast-track the process to hire Mike Vrabel, which seemed like an inevitable outcome after they fired Jerod Mayo.

Aaron Glenn coaching history

Glenn played 15 seasons in the NFL after the Jets drafted him with the No. 12 pick in the 1994 draft. Following his playing career, he spent two seasons in the Jets front office (2012-13) before serving as a college area scout in 2013.

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Which team will hire Aaron Glenn?

It appears that Glenn will leave the Lions this offseason to become a head coach elsewhere, with the Saints and Jets seemingly the leaders for his services. Glenn has reportedly told people the Jets are his first choice, according to the New York Post's Brian Costello.

New Orleans is set to meet with recently departed Cowboys coach, Mike McCarthy. They have one of the league's worst cap situation and will be heading towards a rebuild whenever the front office admits the half measures aren't working.

All of that seems to make the Jets the favorites in that race. While Glenn's ties to New Orleans are well-documented by now, it can't be discounted that he also has similar ties to the Jets, with the added boost of being a former draft pick and his short time as a member of the front office.

In an NFL world in which it's becoming commonplace for coaches to return to coach teams they previously played for, Glenn makes perfect sense for either team. On paper, however, the Jets seem more primed for immediate success and come with the added challenge of ending the league's longest playoff drought.

Glenn comes in with the culture changing attitude "Gang Green" desperately needs. Provided he picks the right staff on offense, he could be a home run hire if the Jets can close the deal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Glenn interviews: Jets, Saints top contenders for Lions DC