Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets are making more staff changes. The former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator released six more assistants on Saturday.
Among the departures, two were on offense: quarterbacks coach Charles London and pass game coordinator Scott Turner. On the defensive side, the Jets let go of linebackers coach Aaron Curry, defensive line coach Eric Washington, assistant defensive backs coach Dre Bly, and two other defensive assistants, Alonso Escalante and Roosevelt Williams.
These six firings come on top of the Jets’ search for a new defensive coordinator, as Glenn dismissed Steve Wilks following the season.
John Maakaron of SI suggested that these changes could have repercussions for the Lions. “Detroit has already faced significant coaching turnover over the last two years,” Maakaron noted. “Last offseason, both Aaron Glenn and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left for head coaching positions. Johnson also brought multiple assistants to Chicago, including wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett.”
I f Glenn targets Dan Campbell’s staff again, Detroit could see further attrition.
Could Glenn Recruit More Lions Assistants?
As Lions fans experienced last year, one of the challenges successful NFL teams face is staff turnover under a head coach. Losing both coordinators simultaneously can create major disruption.
In addition to the offensive assistants who followed Ben Johnson to Chicago, three staff members joined the Jets with Glenn last offseason, including Dre Bly, who was recently fired. It’s possible Bly could return to Detroit under Campbell in 2026.
The other five coaches released by the Jets did not originate from the Lions. However, if Glenn decides to hire other Lions assistants to fill these positions, Detroit could face more coaching gaps without immediate replacements.
Jets Eye Lions’ Jim O’Neil
Even before Saturday’s firings, Glenn was considered a potential threat to recruit a Lions coach. Detroit defensive assistant Jim O’Neil is among the candidates for the Jets’ defensive coordinator role.
Maakaron explained, “One potential option is current Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neil, who interviewed for the Jets’ defensive coordinator vacancy earlier this month. O’Neil joined the Lions’ staff two seasons ago, coinciding with Glenn’s final year as Detroit’s defensive coordinator.”
O’Neil has spent the last two years in Detroit as a defensive assistant. His previous experience includes defensive coordinator roles with the Cleveland Browns (2014-2015), San Francisco 49ers (2016), and Northwestern (2021-22), as well as coaching stints with the Jets, Raiders, and Bills. He also worked under Rex Ryan in New York from 2009-2012.
Glenn finished his first season as Jets head coach with a 4-13 record. While questions arose about his future in New York, he is expected to return for a second season—but with immense pressure to improve the team’s performance. Filling the coaching vacancies with the right personnel will be a key part of that effort.
