Detroit will receive third-round compensatory picks in the 2025 and 2026 drafts because to an NFL provision that rewards teams for promoting minority coaches. Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator for four seasons, signed to agreement to become the New York Jets’ head coach on Wednesday.
The picks will come after the regular third-round compensatory picks for lost free-agent players. Teams that receive compensation picks for losing minority coaches will be awarded selections in the same order as their initial draft position.
General manager Brad Holmes’ third-round draft picks are defensive tackle Alim McNeill (2021), safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (2021), safety Kerby Joseph (2022), quarterback Hendon Hooker (2023), and defensive tackle Brodric Martin (2023). The Lions did not have a third-round selection in the 2024 draft.
The Detroit Lions’ season ended unexpectedly early and disastrously as they fell in a rout to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs this weekend.
They have already lost their offensive and defensive coordinators, with Ben Johnson leaving to become the new head coach of the Chicago Bears and Aaron Glenn taking over as head coach of the New York Jets.
Some may believe their departures would have a negative affect on the Lions’ future, but head coach Dan Campbell appears motivated to fill those roles in a way that will keep his club from missing a beat, according to Brad Galli.
All three individuals have done an outstanding job of resurrecting a Lions team that had been awful or mediocre for over 30 years.
The Lions had not won a playoff game or advanced to the NFC Championship Game since 1991, despite having some extremely great players at the time, including famous running back Barry Sanders and standout wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
However, in 2022, they won eight out of their last ten games.
At that point, it was evident that Detroit had been repaired, and after nearly reaching the Super Bowl last season, they were widely regarded as the favorites to win it all this year.
They do have reasons to be optimistic about next season: defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, who has swiftly become a star, should be back after fracturing his leg a few months ago, and 23-year-old wide receiver Jameson Williams has been rising quickly himself.
