NFL Rumors: Lions' Ben Johnson, Glenn Set for 2nd Commanders, Falcons HC Interviews

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn remain two of the hottest head coaching candidates available this winter, and both are set for second interviews with two different teams.

The Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons will conduct second interviews with Johnson and Glenn next week, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Coaches still in the playoffs can't interview again until after the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend, and the Lions are preparing to face the San Francisco 49ers with the chance to secure a berth in the title game for the first time since 1957.

The Falcons are doing their due diligence this winter as they seek a replacement for Arthur Smith.

Atlanta has already interviewed former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick twice and requested a second interview with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh this week.

Additionally, there are reports that the Falcons have plans for second interviews with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and Ravens associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver.

The Commanders have also cast a wide net in their head coaching search this offseason as they look for a replacement for Ron Rivera.

Washington has interviewed Morris, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and its own offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy.

Johnson has been with the Lions since 2019 and he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022.

Detroit had one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2023 under Johnson. The Lions finished the regular season averaging the second-most passing yards per game (258.9), fifth-most rushing yards per game (135.9) and the fifth-most points per game (27.1).

Thanks to a solid offense, the Lions won the AFC North for the first time since the 1993 campaign and are in the NFC Championship game for the first time since the 1991 season.

Glenn has served as Detroit's defensive coordinator since 2021, and while the team's defense allowed 247.4 passing yards per game in 2023, it was the second-best rushing defense in the NFL, allowing just 88.8 rushing yards per game.

If the Lions lose both of their coordinators this winter, it'll be interesting to see how Dan Campbell replaces them.