Keeping the band together becomes the hardest challenge. When? It’s when your team climbs to the top. It seems their 15-2 season success might cost them a few key staff members for the Detroit Lions. But is it going to be a few or more? Lions fans buckle up. This ride’s about to get bumpy.

Reports emerged that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn had received a substantial offer on Monday. From? The Jets. And it is for their head coach position. Insider Jordan Schultz surfaced updates on Tuesday. The job is “his if he wants it,” suggests Schultz on X. Now, Glenn’s already looking to build a staff. And he’ll potentially look to bag Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell as offensive coordinator.

“Glenn is currently constructing his potential staff, which would ideally include #Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell,“ Schultz wrote. This could get a significant part of Dan Campbell’s leadership team. But there’s more to unpack.

Adding fuel to the fire, Glenn is also slated to interview with the Saints later this week. The Jets seem to be the frontrunner. But Glenn’s history with the Saints keeps things interesting. The Lions’ coaching depth will be tested if Glenn accepts either role. And here’s where Detroit’s former offensive coordinator and now Chicago’s head coach came in to complicate things. Yep, Ben Johnson is also playing his cards.

Ben Johnson’s hiring by the Chicago Bears has Lions fans holding their breath. He is known for his innovative offensive schemes. And Johnson is rumored to target Detroit’s coaching staff for his new team. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley and passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand are in Johnson’s crosshairs as potential offensive coordinator candidates. Even Glenn’s preferred OC for the Jets, Brunell, is on Johnson’s radar.

Losing multiple staff members to divisional rivals could sting. Engstrand has been a critical part of Detroit’s success. And he might stay with the Lions as the new OC. But Fraley, praised for crafting one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, could find the Bears’ job too tempting to pass up. And Mark Brunell’s future also hangs in the balance with potential offers from Johnson and Glenn.

Meanwhile, Aaron Glenn has his hands full assembling a capable team. Schultz notes Glenn is considering a veteran defensive coordinator and possibly coaxing retired special teams coach Mike Westhoff back into action. If Glenn moves, the Lions could face a massive talent drain.

Glenn’s leverage in Jets negotiations as Saints linger

Losing Glenn and Johnson would be a double whammy for the Lions. Glenn’s defense allowed just 20.1 points per game this season. It was a significant improvement from prior years. Meanwhile, Johnson’s offense topped the league. They had a staggering 33.2 points per game. These contributions fueled Detroit’s 15-2 record and a No. 1 seed in the NFC. Now, Aaron Glenn’s second interview with the Jets may not have concluded with a deal. But the ball is firmly in his court.

According to sources, the Jets have made a substantial offer. It makes the head coaching role his to accept. Yet Glenn has not committed. Instead, he returned to Detroit on Woody Johnson‘s private jet (according to Schultz). This hesitation could be strategic.

Glenn’s scheduled meeting with the Saints later this week provides him additional leverage. A bidding war between two teams with strong ties to Glenn—one as a player and coach the other as a Pro Bowl cornerback—could drive his asking price higher. The Saints’ urgency to find their next leader only adds to the intrigue.

The Jets endured a frustrating 5-12 season. Hence, they seem eager to secure Glenn’s culture-building expertise. However, the specter of New Orleans swooping in complicates matters. Should the Saints present an irresistible offer, it could force the Jets into a decision sooner than anticipated.

Glenn continues constructing a potential staff. And the Jets must decide whether to sweeten their offer or risk losing their prime candidate. But his negotiations have already captured the attention of both franchises—and the league.