Commanders Interview Process Takes a Backseat to the Playoff Game

The Detroit Lions have a high-stakes NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, which is a significant moment in the franchise’s history. Additionally, on Saturday, the Lions’ defensive coordinator will be meeting with the Washington Commanders to discuss the coaching vacancy.

Josh Harris, the owner of the Commanders, along with new general manager Adam Peters, are currently looking for a coach. They have scheduled a meeting with Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator for the Lions, to discuss the coaching vacancy. According to a recent survey conducted by the NFLPA, Glenn received the highest rating among defensive or offensive coordinators in the NFL. This clearly demonstrates that Glenn is highly qualified and deserves to be considered for coaching positions.

Tomorrow, the Lions have a significant game as they strive to advance to the NFC Championship. While we acknowledge that Glenn will be ready, it is important to note that he recently interviewed for positions with the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans. The time he invested in these interviews, as well as preparing for them, may affect his ability to fully dedicate himself to his current job.

Glenn’s actions should not be interpreted as a reflection of his character, as he is simply operating within the current system. Ben Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator, is believed by many to be the preferred candidate for the Commanders job and has three interviews scheduled on Saturday. After having a virtual meeting with the Commanders, Johnson, who is 37 years old, is now set to speak with the Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, and Seattle Seahawks. It’s worth noting that all of this is happening the day before a playoff game.

While there may not be an ideal solution, one possibility is to delay the entire NFL coaching cycle until after the Super Bowl. This approach would benefit coaches who are still employed by playoff teams, as well as those from eliminated teams or college programs. It may require postponing other important offseason events like free agency and the NFL Draft, but that could be a necessary trade-off. If the Lions were to lose to the Buccaneers, it would raise questions about how a week of balancing coaching interviews and game preparation affected Glenn and Johnson.