By Mummy Grace The Detroit Lions are undergoing a rapid reshuffling of their coaching staff following the end of their impressive 2024 season. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has already departed for the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job, and several other coaches are being pursued for opportunities across the league. Among the most significant potential moves is defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s candidacy for a head coaching role, which seems increasingly likely.
Draft Compensation Under the Rooney Rule
If Glenn secures a head coaching position, the Lions stand to benefit from the NFL’s Resolution JC-2a, introduced in 2020 as part of the Rooney Rule. This policy awards teams compensatory draft picks for developing minority candidates who are hired as head coaches or primary football executives elsewhere.
Under this rule:
- The Lions would receive a third-round compensatory pick in each of the next two drafts (2025 and 2026).
- These picks are awarded after other compensatory selections in the same round, tied to free agency losses.
Implications for the Lions
With Glenn’s departure appearing imminent, Detroit could gain a top-100 overall pick in 2025, supplementing their draft capital. This would also offset the third-round pick they traded to the Jets in 2024 to move up for offensive lineman Giovanni Manu.
The added picks will provide valuable resources for the Lions as they look to maintain and build on their current success. While losing Glenn would be a significant challenge, the compensatory picks ensure the team has opportunities to continue adding young talent.
A Coaching Exodus
Beyond Glenn, the Lions face the possibility of further departures:
- Hank Fraley (Offensive Line Coach): A strong candidate for offensive coordinator roles, including ongoing talks with the Seahawks.
- Terrell Williams (Defensive Line Coach): Another name rumored for potential movement.
Conclusion
While coaching turnover is a natural consequence of success, the Lions are poised to leverage NFL policies to mitigate the impact. The organization will need to identify and develop new coaching talent while strategically utilizing the compensatory picks to sustain their momentum heading into future seasons.