Aaron Glenn is keeping everyone on their toes. Detroit Lions DC Glenn just turned down a shot at the New England Patriots’ head coaching gig, and fans are buzzing with theories.
Why would he say no to one of the NFL’s most iconic teams? Whatever the reason, Glenn’s move has the NFL world filled with speculation.
Aaron Glenn Rejects Patriots HC Interview
Glenn just dropped a mic on the Patriots. The Lions defensive coordinator rejected an interview request for the Pats’ head coaching gig, and fans are here for it.
Glenn has made waves with the Lions since 2021, helping transform a bottom-tier defense into one of the NFL’s top 10 despite a pile of injuries (including Aidan Hutchinson, who was off to an electric sack rate). This year, his defense shut down the Minnesota Vikings — 262 total yards, zero points. That’s no fluke.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell thinks so too.
“He’s as good of a coach as you’re going to find,” Campbell said of Glenn earlier this week, per the Detroit Free Press’ Jared Ramsey. “He’s an even better human being. If nobody wants him, I’ll take him again, I can tell you that right now. But the thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous.”
But for now, Glenn is taking his name off the Patriots’ list, opting for five other head coaching interviews that may be a better fit.
NFL fans were quick to react.
Fans React to Aaron Glenn’s Bold Move
Some fans were quick to claim Glenn’s move was a power play. One user bluntly stated, “Knows Mike Vrabel is going there,” suggesting Glenn knows the Patriots are already eyeing Vrabel as their guy, rendering his interview request a mere formality.
Knows Vrabel is going there https://t.co/dIsqMPz4LJ
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) January 9, 2025
Another fan echoed this sentiment, saying, “I don’t blame him. It’s clear they already have their guy. Don’t waste my time trying to look like you actually looking.” This fan felt that the Pats’ search was a sham, with the team likely having already settled on a head coach.
I don’t blame him. It’s clear they already have their guy. Don’t waste my time trying to look like you actually looking.
— Terrell Furman Jr. (@reallyrell__) January 9, 2025
Meanwhile, one fan took a sharper angle: “He’s the only one who realized they’ve already hired Vrabel.” This fan feels Glenn’s decision was based on insider knowledge or gut instinct, seeing through the façade of the Patriots’ coaching search.
He’s the only one who realized they’ve already hired Vrabel
— Big Mike || Quinn Meinerz’s #1 Fan (@MeinerzMuse) January 9, 2025
Others pointed to past frustrations with the organization. “Probably bc he didn’t like what they did to mayo,” another fan speculated, referencing the bizarre firing of Jerod Mayo.
A follow-up comment, “Good. The way mayo went down, he’s not tryna follow suit.”
Finally, one user took a lighter approach with, “LMFAOOOOOO no one wants to be a part of that poverty franchise,” throwing serious shade at the Patriots current struggles.
Fans are loving Glenn’s decision, and it’s clear: he’s playing the long game. Let’s see who’ll end up on top.