The Detroit Lions could soon undergo significant changes in their front office, with reports suggesting an AFC team might target one of their key executives to team up with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for a head coach role.

Jaguars Preparing for Changes

NFL analyst Chad Forbes has predicted that the Jacksonville Jaguars will hire Lions’ chief operating officer Mike Disner to replace Trent Baalke as their general manager. Disner, who has been with the Lions for several years, would be a major acquisition for Jacksonville, shaking up Detroit’s leadership structure.

Forbes also suggested that Disner’s first major action in Jacksonville would be to hire Ben Johnson as head coach. Johnson, who has earned considerable recognition for his work with the Lions’ offense, has been a frequent head coaching candidate in recent years. His connection to Disner could make this pairing even more likely.

Why Disner and Johnson?

Disner, who played a key role in the Lions’ successful rebuild alongside general manager Brad Holmes, has previously attracted interest from other teams. Last year, the Carolina Panthers sought to hire him as their GM, but Disner ultimately withdrew his name from consideration. This time, Forbes believes Disner will make the jump to Jacksonville, potentially bringing Johnson along to continue his rise as a head coach.

Losing both a front-office executive and a key coordinator would be a setback for the Lions, but it also reflects the success the team has achieved under current leadership. Detroit’s growing reputation for talent development in both the front office and on the field has made them an attractive destination for executives and coaches.

What About Aaron Glenn?

Along with the potential departure of key Lions executives and coordinators, Forbes predicts that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who has generated significant attention lately, will land the head coaching position with the New Orleans Saints. Given Glenn’s previous experience with the Saints as an assistant coach, this move seems like a natural fit, and Glenn is even seen as the frontrunner for the job.

As the 2024-2025 NFL season unfolds, Detroit fans will be closely watching these developments as the Jaguars aim to overhaul their operations and bring in the talent that has helped propel the Lions’ success.