Nov 23, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur heads out to the field for the start against the Detroit Lions in the annual Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions have officially entered a new era of their rivalry. Over the last five seasons, Detroit holds a 6-4 advantage, however, over the last three seasons they own a 5-1 advantage.
Going into 2025, Green Bay is hoping to get back on the winning side of this rivalry. That may have gotten a little easier.
Green Bay Packers Get Excellent News from The Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with umpire Fred Bryan (11) during the fourth quarter of their game Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers 34-20.
Maurice Moton highlighted what most of the NFL already knows:
Jacksonville Jaguars: Ben Johnson
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Though multiple NFL insiders have linked the Las Vegas Raiders to Ben Johnson because of Tom Brady’s involvement and the allure of aligning with a new general manager, the Jacksonville Jaguars can make a move to seal the deal with the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.
The MMQB’s Albert Breer believes Johnson is interested in the Jaguars but wants to join a team with his own general manager (h/t Paul Bretl of Jaguars Wire).
“I think he finds the job attractive,” Breer wrote. “My feeling, and this is just me talking, I think he’d want to bring in his own general manager. So I think you have the chance to be the most attractive job to him but I think it would be under certain circumstances.”
Breer also speculated that the Jaguars could fire general manager Trent Baalke for the right candidate.
“Jaguars owner Shad Khan has expressed some flexibility to coaching candidates on his decision to retain GM Trent,” Breer wrote. “And my read on that is this: If a coach has the leverage to get what he wants from the team, then Khan could still pull the plug on Baalke.”
However, It Doesn’t Stop With Just Ben Johnson
Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur reacts after the game for the 2024 NFC wild card game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets: Aaron Glenn
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 15: Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions is seen during warmups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The New York Jets could follow the former player-to-coach blueprint like the New England Patriots, who recently hired Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel played eight seasons with the Patriots and invested his blood, sweat and tears into the team’s early dynasty years. Glenn played the same number of seasons with the Jets and earned two Pro Bowl nods with the club.
In his post-playing career, Glenn coached defensive backs for seven years with the Cleveland Browns (2014-15) and New Orleans Saints (2016-2020) before he became the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in 2021.
Over four years, Glenn’s defensive units improved, from 31st in scoring in 2021 to seventh this past season. Despite several key injuries, the Lions ranked fifth in rushing yards allowed, gave up the second-fewest touchdown passes and finished fourth in pressure rate (26.2 percent).
Now, Glenn reportedly has his sights set on the Jets’ head coaching job.
From the sounds of it, Detroit is likely to lose both their offensive and defensive coordinators this off-season. Something that will certainly have an impact on their immediate future.
Green Bay has recorded 9-8 and 11-6 records in their first two seasons after Aaron Rodgers.
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFC head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline against the AFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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McQuade Arnold is a Sports Columnist and Co-Owner of Wisconsin Sports Heroics (WSH), Gridiron Heroics (GH), and Hardwood Heroics (HWH). He is originally from Superior, WI, and is a die-hard Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks fan. McQuade's work for WSH has been featured on Yardbarker, Bleacher Report, NewsBreak, and MSN.
