Detroit Lions DC Aaron Glenn expected to interview with New Orleans

Selfishly I hope Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn stays put. Glenn is expected to interview with the New Orleans Saints after long-time head coach Sean Payton announced his retirement.

Tuesday, Payton mentioned that he wouldn’t rule out coaching again down the road but stated that’s not where his heart is right now.

Payton took over the Saints just following Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

Since 2006, Payton possessed an overall regular-season record of 152-89 and a postseason record of 9-8. Payton guided the Saints to a 31-17 victory over former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Payton during his time with the Saints. Don’t forget, bounty gate. The NFL suspended Payton for the entire 2012 season for his role in the debacle. Saints defenders were paid for attempts to injure players on opposing teams. The teams’ defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, was also suspended for the 2012 season.

There are rumors (nothing concrete) that Payton will quickly be targeted by Amazon to be a part of their Thursday Night Football on-air team ahead of the 2022 regular season.

Starting next season, Amazon Prime Video will air 15 Thursday Night games exclusively in a deal that won’t expire until 2032. Amazon is also expected to make a run at play-by-play legend Al Michaels this summer as his current contract with NBC is set to expire. NBC also has former Monday Night Football voice Mike Tirico waiting in the wings.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is expected to interview with the New Orleans Saints.

Despite having limited resources, first-time play-caller and defensive coordinator did a fabulous job in 2021 with the Detroit Lions.

Not only did Glenn have an inferior roster to work with, the Detroit Lions defense saw an abundance of injuries throughout the season starting in Week One when they lost their starting second-year cornerback Jeff Okudah to a season-ending injury. The Detroit Lions also lost their top pass-rusher in Romeo Okwara, Trey Flowers, and emerging star Jerry Jacobs late in the season.

Glenn’s roots run deep with the Saints organization. Not only did Glenn serve as New Orleans’ defensive backs coach from 2016-20, but he finished his solid playing career with the Saints in 2008.

The current Detroit Lions’ assistant interviewed the New York Jets last season before eventually following head coach Dan Campbell to Detroit. Glenn also recently interviewed for the Denver Broncos vacancy but appeared to have fallen out of favor.

Glenn’s 2021 highlights have come in the player development category, which is exactly what the doctor ordered for a rebuilding franchise littered with youthful players. Glenn turned a pair of undrafted corners in Jerry Jacobs plus A.J. Parker into reliable starters who both appear to have a future with the organization. We also saw positive growth from third-round pick Alim McNeill and a bounce-back campaign from the team’s leading tackler, Tracy Walker.

Don’t forget, Glenn inherited a historically bad defense and improved them in essentially every area. I’d be pleased to see Glenn become a head coach, but I selfishly hope he remains as Detroit’s defensive coordinator for at least one more season. I anticipate this group to see a host of rookie playmakers added following the 2022 NFL Draft that will need some positive guidance.