Sunday's game against the New York Jets will mark the long-awaited return for former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, now the Jets' head coach.
Unlike former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left for a division rival during the same offseason Glenn joined the Jets, expect to see a lot of love for Glenn from Lions faithful in the coming days. That love carries over to Lions' players and coaches, who worked with Glenn from the 2021 season through 2024.
Glenn has the Jets playing their hearts out, defensively. One year removed from going an entire season without recording an interception, the Jets boasts arguably the league's top defense through two weeks. The Jets have allowed the sixth fewest points (30) and the fewest yards (394) so far.
And, no, they still haven't gotten that INT yet. But it's only a matter of time before that historic drought ends if the defense keeps playing the way they have, so the unexpectedly aggressive Jared Goff better stay vigilant on Sunday.
Glenn's turnaround with the Jets has been slightly reminiscent of his and Dan Campbell's own turnaround with the Lions in 2022, where the team rebounded after a rocky first season. Although, in the Lions' case, it took a little longer into the second season to get going.
On Wednesday, Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson was asked about that 2022 turnaround and how Glenn was in a similar position then as current defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is now. Hutchinson believes "Shep" is "cut from the same cloth" as "AG," saying, "AG is such a leader of men, for sure, and I think we all always trusted him to figure that out, and I think the same is with Shep."
That turnaround needs to come fast, as Lions defense has gone on the opposite trajectory as Glenn's defense in 2026. Only the Indianapolis Colts have given up more points and yards than the Lions. The pass rush has looked good, but the rest of the defense has left a lot to be desired.
The Lions are doing slightly better in the turnover department than the Jets, with two interceptions and a fumble recovery, but that all came in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. The Lions will face Jets quarterback Geno Smith, who did lead the league last season in interceptions with the Las Vegas Raiders (17), but has terrorized the Lions' defense in recent years.
Hutchinson has a lot of love for Glenn ahead of their reunion
Hutchinson joined the Lions during that aforementioned 2022 season as a rookie, and under Glenn, hit the ground running, nearly winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Hutchinson was asked about the impact Glenn made on his development in the early years of his career:
"AG was great, man. He was great. I mean, from the start. I think our relationship grew over time because over time he gave me more and more freedom, which I always appreciated. And I think by the end of it, which was my...third year, yeah, we were clicking, so it sucked that I got hurt that year because that would've been fun. But yeah, he's very inspirational, leader of men. Can't wait to see him on Sunday. I'll have to say 'What's up?'"
Before Hutchinson's injury five games into that third season, he racked up 7.5 sacks, which was on pace for the NFL record for sacks in a season. That was one of many injuries for the Lions defense in 2024, but Glenn did his best to keep that defense afloat, helping the Lions to a 15-2 record before those injuries caught up them in a tragic Divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders.
That playoff loss would become Glenn and Johnson's final games as Lions coordinators. Johnson has already faced off against the Lions twice, with the Lions winning both game. This will be the first time the team will go up against Glenn and his new-look Jets defense.
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For many of the longtime players on both sides of the ball, this will be an emotional matchup against a lovable players' coach. Players who, like Hutchinson, owe a lot to Glenn, whether it's developing their game or through iron sharpening iron during practice. Not to mention Sheppard, who was the linebackers coach under Glenn, knowing he has a lot to prove against his former mentor amid mounting pressure.
For Glenn, he returns to the city and a head coach that gave him a chance to make a name for himself in the coaching ranks, leading him to becoming a head coach in his own right. He'll walk out in front of a Ford Field crowd that maybe wishes he was still the DC. And if not, he'll do all he can to ensure that'll be the case once the clock hits zeros.
Those wide range of emotions will come to a head on Sunday in Detroit, with kickoff at 1 P.M. (EST).
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