Dan Campbell Speaks Out on Ben Johnson & Aaron Glenn: What’s Next for the Lions?”
After their 45-31 divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders, the Detroit Lions’ season has officially ended.
With this, the team is preparing for the likely departures of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, as both are top candidates for head coaching jobs during this hiring cycle.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell is ready for the possibility of losing both coordinators and expressed confidence in the team’s internal candidates.
He also remains open to exploring external options if they align with the Lions’ identity.
“We’ve got guys on staff who I think are more than capable of excelling in either role,” Campbell said.
“That doesn’t mean I’m not looking outside. I want someone who fits our identity. If that’s not you, this isn’t the job for you.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, potential internal replacements include assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery, passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand, and linebackers coach
Kelvin Sheppard. Campbell hopes to maintain the team’s current structure, even with new leadership.
Despite the early playoff exit, the Lions’ 2024-25 season was highly successful. The team finished with a 15-2 record, claiming the NFC North title and earning the No. 1 seed in the conference. However, Campbell admitted the Lions fell short against Washington.
“We didn’t play our best,” Campbell said.
“We didn’t complement each other well, and I didn’t have them ready. That’s on me, and it’s hard to accept.”
Quarterback Jared Goff also struggled, throwing three interceptions in the loss. The performance was tough for him to process.
“I’m still processing everything,” Goff said. “I’ll have some sleepless nights ahead.
We had everything we wanted—home-field advantage, incredible fans—but we let it slip away. It’s disappointing.”
The Lions now shift their focus to the offseason, aiming to build on the progress they’ve made.
With key coaching changes likely, the team looks to strengthen its foundation and come back stronger next season.
