The phone has already started to ring for Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. The Commanders are the first to reportedly request head coaching interviews with the Lions offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, and they won't be the last.
But right now, Johnson and Glenn are focused on extending the Lions season -- and their tenures in Detroit -- ahead of Sunday's playoff game against the Rams.
"Both of them, I know this, it’s all about us right now and it’s about the team," Dan Campbell said Monday. "They’re very much invested in this team. Their opportunities will come."
As Campbell pointed out, neither Johnson nor Glenn can even interview with another team until after the Lions' first playoff game, "so it's just that, stay focused on what it is right now and that time will come if you interview with these organizations."
"Of course I want that for them, but it’s about us right now," Campbell said. "And look, both of those guys are worthy, more than worthy, to be head coach candidates. I don’t care where you’re at, they are two of the best you’re going to find, I believe that. But until then, they’re with us. And I don't want to lose either one of them, but that’s the way it goes."
Both Johnson and Glenn have landed head coaching interviews in the past, Glenn for three straight offseasons. Johnson was considered the leading candidate for the Panthers head coaching job last offseason until he opted to return to Detroit to tend to unfinished business. This could be the year that both of them move on.
Glenn's defense jumped from dead last in the NFL a year ago to 19th this year and finished second against the run, with mostly the same personnel. The 51-year-old is seen as a natural head coach as a former Pro Bowler who played 15 years in the NFL and commands respect from his players. He's an excellent communicator and motivator who was recently voted the No. 1 coordinator in the NFL in a league-wide player poll.
The Lions have had a top-five offense two seasons in a row under Johnson, who's helped revive Jared Goff's career in Detroit after the quarterback was kicked to the curb by the Rams. A sharp tactician and polished presenter, the 37-year-old Johnson is considered one of the brightest minds in the game.