Ben Johnson: Lions Can't Stop Gushing about Aaron Glenn

Jared Goff is leading the Detroit Lions to the NFC Championship game, but Aaron Glenn's defense is the team's unsung hero.

Jared Goff has been the talk of Detroit lately, with fans singing his name at Ford Field and Goff delivering high-velocity, mistake-free football that has led the Lions to the NFC championship game. After completing 15 of 16 passes and leading three straight second-half touchdown drives to eliminate the red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round, Goff fielded the usual questions about his rise, the chants of his name, and the performances of his teammates. But then he had something else to say.

He gave credit to Aaron Glenn, the Lions' defensive coordinator, who has received rave reviews for his work this year. Glenn has been heavily criticized for the defense's slow start, ranking 29th in total defense in 2021, followed by a 32nd ranking last season. This year, the defense made a big jump to 19th, but was still below the league average. Despite the criticism, Glenn's unit has received far less investment than the offense. Two of the three biggest free-agent signings on defense were injured for most of the season, contributing to some of the team's worst defensive performances. However, Glenn's adjustments and benchings have paid off, with the defense allowing just 21.2 points per game over their last six games.

The defense's improvement has been largely attributed to the breakout performances of several players, including Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brian Branch, Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone, and Alim McNeill. Melifonwu and Branch have become key pieces in a revived blitz package that has confounded opposing quarterbacks in the playoffs. Hutchinson, Anzalone, and McNeill have also enjoyed breakout seasons, with McNeill crediting Glenn for his breakthrough season. The Lions have credited the defensive improvements for their two straight playoff wins, marking the first time they have accomplished this since 1957.

The defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, has also received recognition from other teams, with the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Chargers expressing interest in him for their head-coaching vacancies. Lions head coach Dan Campbell praised Glenn's work ethic, leadership, and communication skills, highlighting his vision for putting a plan together and understanding of football. The Lions are fortunate to have Glenn on their staff, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed.