The Detroit Lions are preparing for the possibility of losing key members of their coaching staff in 2025, including defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Glenn has become a hot candidate for head coaching jobs across the NFL and has reportedly impressed during his interviews. According to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Glenn has “knocked his interviews out of the park.”
In a prediction of head coaching destinations, ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested Glenn is most likely to land with the New Orleans Saints, a franchise he has deep connections with. Glenn played the final year of his NFL career with the Saints in 2008 and later served as their defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020 before following Dan Campbell to Detroit. Graziano noted that while Glenn has ties to both the Saints and the New York Jets (where he played from 1994 to 2001 and began his post-playing career in their scouting department in 2012), the Saints are emerging as the favorites to hire him.
Jonathan Jones also corroborated this outlook, stating that both the Saints and Jets are serious contenders for Glenn, but the Saints appear to be making a stronger push for his services.
While the Saints’ offer might be appealing due to Glenn’s familiarity with the organization, the job comes with significant challenges. New Orleans is projected to be $52.3 million over the salary cap in 2025, making their financial situation one of the most difficult in the league. This cap issue could hinder Glenn’s ability to build a competitive roster and turn the team around.
The Saints’ financial woes stem from years of pushing money into future seasons to stay under the cap, a strategy that has now come back to haunt them. Although they are projected to have $60 million in cap space by 2026, that number could decrease if they continue to defer financial obligations to the future, a move that has worsened their predicament.
In contrast, the Jets offer a less financially strained environment, though the franchise has its own set of challenges. While the Saints job could feel like a natural fit for Glenn due to his prior ties, the financial instability in New Orleans might make the Jets a more attractive and sustainable option in the long run.
Ultimately, Glenn’s decision may come down to weighing the familiarity and emotional connection to the Saints against the potential hurdles of leading a team mired in financial troubles.
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