Getty
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Detroit Lions took a big step back in 2025 after losing both offensive and defensive coordinators to head coaching gigs, and their departures could continue to have ripple effects this year.
The Lions watched offensive coordinator Ben Johnson take over as head coach of the Chicago Beras, while Aaron Glenn took the top post with the New York Jets. Both coaches added some former Lions players to their teams, and one analyst believes Glenn could poach another key defensive player from the Lions this offseason.
Lions Could Lose Top Linebacker
Reporter Greg Auman of Fox Sports compiled a list of the NFL’s top 100 free agents with a prediction on where they will land. He put Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone at No. 80, predicting he would follow Glenn to the Jets.
“Anzalone, 31, has had a productive five-year run in the middle of Detroit’s defense, averaging 14 starts and 98 tackles per year,” Auman wrote. “He’s done it inexpensively, making $6 million a year on his last deal. Could his time with the Lions be up? Seems he could land with Aaron Glenn and the Jets if that is the case — Glenn was with him for four of those years in Detroit and arguably his best.”
Zach Pressnell of SI.com predicted the Jets could use Anzalone to fill in for All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams, who is also headed to free agency and expected to find a new team. Anzalone would be a significantly cheaper option, Pressnell suggested, costing the Jets somewhere between $8 million and $10 million per season.
Glenn could be looking for more former Lions to round out New York’s roster next season. Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said on “Jets Final Drive” that the Jets were “actively” trying to add players who “know what Aaron Glenn is about.” He mentioned both Anzalone and cornerback Amik Robertson as potential targets for the Jets.
The Lions are looking to avoid significant roster turnover as they aim to return to the playoffs in 2026, having their two-year run atop the NFC North snapped.
Aaron Glenn’s Disappointing Season
While Johnson found fast success with the Bears, unseating the Lions atop the NFC North in his first season, Glenn struggled in New York. The Jets failed to show improvement under his defensive direction, with Glenn landing on the hot seat as the season went on.
Though the Jets remained committed to Glenn, they did make several other coaching changes after a 3-14 season. Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after a 48-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars during the season, telling reporters afterward that he didn’t see enough improvement from the unit.
“Listen, I just thought that from last week going to this week, the improvement wasn’t there, and I thought it was time to make a change,” Glenn told reporters. “I’m going to make the decision that’s best for this organization at all times, and it’s my job to make sure I continue to evaluate everything that’s going on.”
The Jets went on to fire seven other coaches, though Glenn maintained his position heading into the 2026 season.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
More Heavy on Lions
Loading more stories