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4 Lions Who Could Leave Detroit to Follow Aaron Glenn

By Richard Louis

Aaron Glenn is introduced as the new head coach of the New York Jets at a press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Jan. 27, 2025. Glenn, who played eight seasons with the Jets, had been the Lions' defensive coordinator since 2021.
Aaron Glenn is introduced as the new head coach of the New York Jets at a press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Jan. 27, 2025. Glenn, who played eight seasons with the Jets, had been the Lions' defensive coordinator since 2021. / Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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2. Derrick Barnes, LB

Linebacker Derrick Barnes was in the final year of his four-year rookie contract. Poised for a standout season for the Lions in 2024, Barnes' campaign was cut short after suffering a season-ending knee injury in September. He tore his PCL and MCL.

That was just one blow of the many the Lions' defense had to endure this season. Barnes was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Lions out of Purdue. He's another player who played under Glenn his entire NFL career.

Across 51 games in Detroit, Barnes had 205 total tackles, 12 TFLs, eight QB hits, and four sacks. He came into the league as a rangy defender at the second level with great play-recognition skills.

Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com recently revealed that Barnes is a player that Glenn will target.

He wrote, "One player I'm told Glenn will target in free agency is linebacker Derrick Barnes, the Lions' fourth-round pick out of Purdue in 2021 who will be on the free-agent market after completing his rookie contract."

New York linebacker C.J. Mosley is set to have a $12.7 million cap hit in 2025 and will likely be released. He only played in four games in 2024. His time in New York may come to an end and Barnes could be someone who lands in New York.

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