Detroit Lions

For Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, the absence of an elite quarterback doesn't have to hold the team back.

"No, I don’t think you need that," he told reporters. "I think that those guys like that are, obviously, they’re special. And they certainly can give you a better chance. But no, I don’t believe you have to have one of those guys to have sustained success."

Campbell might be singing a different tune if the Lions had Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers pegged as their Week 1 starter instead of Jared Goff.

Extolling the necessity of an All-Pro QB would not only undermine Goff but also send a message to the players that their head coach doesn't exactly believe in them.

Campbell's comments weren't without some truth, though.

The San Francisco 49ers reached a Super Bowl in 2019 with Jimmy Garoppolo. The Denver Broncos were crowned champions in 2015 despite relying on leaning on Brock Osweiler and the shell of what once was Peyton Manning. Nick Foles guided the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in 2017.

Ben Roethlisberger is a two-time champion, but those titles came at a point in his career when he wasn't yet a prolific passer. Likewise, nobody could ever decide how good Eli Manning actually was, and he beat Brady twice in the Super Bowl.

At the same time, there's no question that having a merely pretty good QB instead of a top-shelf signal-caller can lower your margin for error.

The 49ers might have won that aforementioned Super Bowl if they had someone a little better than Garoppolo, who finished 20-of-31 for 219 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 31-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Goff is another clear example. The Los Angeles Rams couldn't get over the hump with the two-time Pro Bowler, who was clearly regressing. They go out and get Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions and then win it all.

There's a reason why the 10 highest-paid players in the NFL are all quarterbacks.

To some degree, though, Campbell's comments should be encouraging for fans.

For more than a decade, the Lions had one of the 10 best quarterbacks in the league and look where it got them.

Like clockwork, Stafford would throw for more than 4,000 yards and Detroit would either fail to win a postseason game or miss the playoffs altogether. His presence wasn't enough to compensate for all of the bad coaching hires and all of the bad draft picks.

This time around, maybe Campbell can first build the kind of foundation that allows an incoming quarterback to thrive.

After a four-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, D.J. Chark will play next season with the Detroit Lions. 

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 25-year-old agreed to one-year contract with the Lions on Tuesday. He'll be able to earn as much as $12 million.

His fate in Jacksonville was likely sealed after Schefter reported the Jags committed up to $84 million over four years to Christian Kirk.

The Jaguars selected Chark with the No. 61 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. He was a big-play receiver at LSU, averaging 21.9 yards per reception as a senior in 2017. 

After playing sparingly as a rookie, the LSU product had a breakout season in 2019. He led the Jags in targets (118), receptions (73), receiving yards (1,008) and receiving touchdowns (eight) in 15 games. 

Jacksonville's quarterback issues in 2020 led to a regression in Chark's performance. He still led the team in targets (93), receiving yards (506) and tied for the team lead in touchdowns (five). 

Per Pro Football Focus (h/t CBS's Dave Richard), Chark finished tied for fourth in lowest catchable target rate among all players in 2020 with a minimum of 50 targets:

Lowest catchable target rates from 2020, minimum 80 targets per @PFF:

AJ Green 49.5%
Jerry Jeudy 58.2%
Darius Slayton 59.6%
Mike Williams 63%
DJ Chark 63%
Chase Claypool 64.1%
DJ Moore 64.6%
TY Hilton 65.9%
Darnell Mooney 67%
Michael Gallup 67.4%

— #AskFFT (@daverichard) July 29, 2021

A fractured ankle limited the Pro Bowler to just four games in 2021. He had 154 yards and two touchdowns on just seven receptions for the season. 

Given all of the issues Jacksonville has had throughout Chark's career, being able to get a fresh start with a new organization is probably in his best interest. He has shown a knack for creating big plays even without stability at the quarterback position. 

As long as he can return to his pre-injury form, the Lions will look to take advantage of his speed and 6'3" frame to make tough, contested catches down the field as they try to make improvements in 2022. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown led the team in receptions (90) and receiving yards (912) as a rookie and filled in nicely for Kenny Golladay after Golladay left in free agency. But the wide receiver position was still one of Detroit's biggest priorities this offseason.

Banking on Chark is a bit of a risk, but one the Lions can afford to take as they continue the rebuild that began in 2021.

A one-year deal for Chark allows him to potentially parlay a big season into a nice payday this time next spring.

The NFL is exploring locations for the 2024 draft, and three finalists were revealed Monday.

Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy told reporters that the homes of the Packers, Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders are being considered to host the event in two years.  

The team owners are reportedly expected to make a final decision at a league meeting in late March.

This year's draft will be held in Las Vegas, while next's years is set for Kansas City. The NFL draft's longtime home was New York City, but that changed in 2015 when Chicago hosted the event. The league has since brought the draft to various cities across the country.

The draft was held virtually for the first time ever in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The league was able to return to some form of normalcy last year when the event was held in Cleveland. The 2021 draft was notable for its talent at the quarterback position. A signal-caller was selected with each of the top three picks, and five were taken in the first round overall.

Out of the three finalists for 2024, Washington, D.C., is the only one of have hosted the event in the past, but that was all the way back in 1941. While the draft has never been held in Green Bay, it has taken place in Wisconsin. Milwaukee hosted it in 1940.

This year's event in Las Vegas will be interesting, considering there is no consensus top prospect in the class. The Jacksonville Jaguars own the No. 1 pick and can go in a variety of different directions such as defensive end or offensive line.

Even though Matthew Stafford won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, he's still thinking about where his career began. 

After defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 at SoFi Stadium to capture his first Super Bowl title, Stafford gave a shoutout to the Detroit Lions fans that have supported him even though he decided to part ways with the organization. 

"It was amazing. There's no reason for them to cheer for me anymore, and the fact that they did was just a true testament to who they are as people and who they are as fans," Stafford said. 

Nothing but love for Detroit from Matt 💙 pic.twitter.com/qgKMxbP4mX

— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) February 14, 2022

Stafford, the No. 1 pick in 2009, spent the first 12 years of his career with the Lions. During his tenure, he went 74-90-1, having completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 45,109 yards and 282 touchdowns against 144 interceptions.

However, the 34-year-old only reached the postseason in three seasons with the Lions. Detroit lost each of those games, all of which were wild-card round matchups. Regardless, Stafford gave everything he had to the Lions, so it's not surprising fans of the franchise are supporting him.

Leading up to the Super Bowl, "Detroit Rams" shirts, which had the Rams' head on a Lions logo, were sold in Michigan, perhaps one of the largest signs that fans in the state were still rooting for Stafford. 

They're selling Detroit Rams shirts in Detroit 😅

(via @TheDetroitLine)pic.twitter.com/3NKfHVEJ3P

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 11, 2022

Even Stafford's former Lions teammates were pulling for him in the Super Bowl, including long snapper Don Muhlbach. 

“I do wish we'd had done it here [in Detroit]," Muhlbach told ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "It would have been better if we all could have done it together, but I think a lot of his old teammates are thinking the same thing I do. We're all so happy for him.”

His former teammates also voiced support for the veteran after he won the Super Bowl, congratulating him on the victory via Twitter. 

My guy 9!!! Super Bowl Champ 9!! https://t.co/ROKs3hpRfV

— Nino (@qdiggs6) February 14, 2022

Congrats Staff, well deserved. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/0oQVZfsshN

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) February 14, 2022

https://twitter.com/bigplay24slay/status/1493060697495904260

Matthew Stafford #TheSurgeon

— Frank Ragnow (@KNARFWONGAR) February 14, 2022

9 got him a ring 🥺

— Mal (@jamalagnew) February 14, 2022

Stafford had a magical first season with the Rams. During the regular season, he went 12-5, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. 

In three playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl, he completed 72 percent of his passes for 905 yards and six touchdowns against one interception. He also had two rushing touchdowns. 

On Sunday against the Bengals, he completed 26 of 40 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, one of which really wasn't his fault. 

His performance helped secure a second Super Bowl title for the Rams and immediately validated the trade L.A. made to bring him in during last year's offseason. 

Quarterback Jared Goff is reportedly expected to remain with the Detroit Lions for the 2022 season, though the front office may seek competition for the starting job.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Sunday the $15.5 million roster bonus in Goff's contract is fully guaranteed, which lessens the likelihood of a trade or release "barring something unforeseen:"

The @NFLGameDay Notebook with @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero: The #Rams and QB Matthew Stafford are expected to focus on an extension after the season; Jared Goff enters a prove-it year for the #Lions; #Rams star Von Miller is expected to fully explore free agency. pic.twitter.com/wLNcRTN1b2

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2022

Goff was acquired in March as part of the blockbuster trade that sent fellow quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford will lead the L.A. offense in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

The Lions also received a cache of draft picks in the deal, including a pair of first-rounders, so it's too soon to say Detroit lost the trade, but the Rams are surely happy with the upgrade they received at the sport's most important position as they chase a title.

Goff didn't play poorly during his first season with the Lions. He completed 67.2 percent of his throws for 3,245 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games.

Yet, much like his time in Los Angeles, he didn't play at a level that suggests he's capable of single-handedly carrying an offense like many of the league's top quarterbacks.

The 27-year-old Cal product ranked 24th in ESPN's Total QBR (39.6) and received a lackluster 60.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

Goff still felt he made progress throughout the season, especially in terms of taking on a larger role in helping scheme the offense with head coach Dan Campbell.

"I was able to have a lot more control or say—ownership, is maybe the word—and that feeling of it being mine," Goff told reporters in January. "Dan and the rest of the staff have been great with that, and making me feel that way, and it's been really good. I feel I've grown how I should grow finishing Year 6 now, and hopefully will continue to grow in that area."

It's also not the best offseason to search for a new quarterback.

The free-agent class is riddled with journeymen, and the draft class hasn't revealed many high-end, surefire prospects. Some trade candidates, led by the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, may become available, but the Lions aren't yet on the cusp of contention where going all-in on a quarterback is in their wheelhouse.

So giving Goff another season to prove himself while bringing in some quarterback depth, preferably through the draft, makes the most sense on paper.

If Goff doesn't take a significant step forward, the Lions will almost assuredly move in a new direction for 2023.

It's unclear where Adrian Peterson will play in 2022. But if one thing's for sure, it's that he's had a lasting impact on the game of football. 

The legendary running back spent the 2021 season split between the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. In four games (three with Tennessee, one with Seattle), Peterson rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries. He also caught four passes for eight yards. 

Despite an underwhelming 2021 season, Peterson has long been considered one of the best running backs in the NFL. He spent the 2020 season with the Detroit Lions, rushing for 604 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Before that, he spent two seasons with the then-Washington Football Team from 2018-19, rushing for 1,940 yards and 12 touchdowns in 31 games. He also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints, but he is mostly known for his career as a Minnesota Viking. 

In 10 seasons with the Vikings from 2007-16, Peterson rushed for 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns across 123 games. During his time in Minnesota, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2007, MVP in 2012, was a four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. 

Peterson also ranks fifth in career rushing yards (14,918) behind Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Frank Gore and Barry Sanders. He also ranks second on the NFL's single-season rushing yards list behind Eric Dickerson (2,105 yards) with 2,097 yards. 

Speaking of Dickerson, Peterson sat down with B/R for an AMA session and talked about several topics, including nearly breaking Dickerson's single-season record, his career with the Vikings and more. 

The following is the full transcript from the AMA session.

---

@ClevelandChad: When did religion become a big part of who you are? Was it always engraved? 

Yeah it was something that was always engraved in me from a child. Just understanding at a young age that I was able to understand that there’s nothing you can’t do without having Christ in your life. He’s the source of everything. Growing up and being in the church and having my family and that background, it’s amazing how having that face has changed my life and in football. Having that faith and believing that you can do all things through Christ. You gotta believe that, you gotta understand that it’s a higher power that’s in control and dependent on him that allows you to overcome those situations. To overcome the ACL injury and have the best season of your career, and perform at an outstanding level, God used me as a vessel to say hey, this is what you can do when you have faith. Faith is really important.

---

@DodgViks15: What was your favorite part about being a Viking?

The history behind the Vikings. The great players, you know. Culpepper, Randy Moss, the defensive guys, the Purple People Eaters, John Randle, Fran Tarkenton. There’s so many people there, a great history. I’ve always loved those colors, you know purple and gold that's always been a god-like color to me, You know, royal purple.

The people I met throughout the process, I met some great people throughout the organization, people that support me throughout my career and those relationships. That’s the kind of thing that you carry with you.

---

@FitchKarma66: What was the best offense you had the chance to be a part of? 2009 (brett favre, sidney rice, percy harvin))? 2015 (teddy, diggs rudolph)? Another year? 

It was definitely the 2009 season. We had some talent on that team. Bernard Berrian, Percy, Harvin, Sidney Rice, Chester Taylor, Brett Favre? Come on. We had a good team and we were stacked offensively as well. We were stacked offensively and defensively too. Antoine Winfield, one of the best corners I’ve probably ever played with. We had some dogs on defense and offense so I definitely gotta go with that year.

---

@CVikings182: What was your mindset after the ACL tear? What do you think was the biggest factor that helped you get back to MVP status so fast?

How fast I had to reset my mind. I remember being in the locker room and thinking I have to come back better than before. 

You know, what can you do about it. It is what it is,. I immediately got my mind right. Ultimately, I can do all things through Christ. Let me get my plan together and execute it. I made it known, my point, this is what I had to accomplish.

It was hard, hard, hard. But when I look back on it, before I ran out that tunnel before that first game, all that hard work was worth it.

---

@Salah11: How long did it take to get over being 8-9 yards short of Eric’s rushing record? 

I wasn’t even thinking about the record, We needed to win that game to get to the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong, I knew I needed at least 200 yards to get that record, which was a lot. 

I remember doing an interview after the game, and she was like ‘oh wow, you were like 7 yards short?’ And I said so what? And she said ‘for the record’ and I was like oh. I would’ve rather been 40 yards short. 7 yards short like a first down? I was like oooh

My mindset? I came off an ACL injury and ended up 7 yards short. That record was broke already. In my mind I already had it. The injury I sustained, in my mind I had it.

---

@Rhettro: What was going through your head when you broke the record for most rushing yards in a game vs. SD Chargers? Was it just a ‘I need the ball. Get out of my way mentality’? 

I was just trying to win the game. That first half was terrible. We only had 40 yards on the ground, and 250 came in the second half. I just remembered telling the guys: ‘hey keep pressing, keep pressing. I think in the first half I pressed too much a couple times and it was a missed opportunity. So, I was just trying to make up for the first half. I didn’t know it was going to be 296 but I’ll take it.

---

@CJShoe: Is there a single team over the course of your career that whenever you played them you just felt like you were going to dominate? 

Green Bay. Chicago. Arizona too. I don’t know what it is about Arizona, I feel like a lot of us had success against them. I feel like teams with good defenses I kind of thrived, I loved the challenge of facing against a good opponent

---

@JTH44: If you could hire one lead blocker from your career as a bodyguard, who are we going with?

I’d probably say Jim Kleinsasser.

---

@LotusRonin: The guy that gave you the hardest hit in your career was ___

Probably Shaun Rodgers. I had broke outside and I was trying to cut back. He hit me so hard. I got up quick, but I was taken back. Aside from that one, Troy Polamalu hit me in my thigh. I scored a TD, but I still remember that hit to this day. He hit me right on the pad in my thigh and I flipped over. That was one of the hardest hits I’ve had too. It gave me a little contusion.

---

@Gtogo: Did it ever bother you that people called you AP instead of AD ‘All Day’? 

I definitely prefer AD. It doesn’t bother me. People that know me, they call me AD. People call me AP, they’re fine.

---

@Estuko: Would you like to retire as a Viking? 

Oh yeah of course. Bleed purple. I spent a decade there. Have some lasting relationships. Definitely will be retiring in that Vikings uniform.

---

@NotRudy_Gobert: Super Bowl pick? 

I got Cincinnati. 28-24. I think their defense will step up, their offensive line, I think their running game will be a big factor in keeping Burrow up. Ain’t too much you can do about Aaron Donald, I think they’ll limit his opportunities. Hammer in the mouth in the run game, I think that’ll help ‘em loosen up. Two backs from Oklahoma, they’re in the Super Bowl for a reason. I definitely see them pulling it off. 

---

Hey Adrian so I understand you’re partnering with Rebalance which is some pretty cool stuff. Can you tell us more about the Rebalance System and what you’re doing with them? 

I’ve been working with this company for about three weeks, and I've been taking their supplement for about three weeks, and it’s been a hit for me.

If you want your mojo back, I’d suggest taking this supplement. Whether you’ve been working in the gym or in your daily life, for me it’s about mastering my mojo.

What’s attracted me to it the most is that it's all natural, and that’s always been important to me in my career, putting the right things into my body. And once I started researching it, it was a hit for me.

It helps balance your cortisol levels. That way your body can naturally enhance itself and produce hormones that allow your body to recover faster and become stronger. It’s been working tremendously for me and it’s been a hit, I encourage everyone to try it. You can do more research and preorder.

The majority of people have a high level of cortisol and that causes stress and diminishes your energy. To be able to balance that out and optimize your potential producing natural HGH and natural hormones to help your body receiver faster and build strength and endurance. Like I said it was a hit for me and it’s a no brainer.

Try it yourself and see if you believe in it and how it responds to you.

Eric Metz, the agent for Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Teryl Austin, alleged Wednesday that the Detroit Lions interviewed Austin for their vacant head coaching position in 2018 despite knowing they intended to hire Matt Patricia.

Austin was the Lions' defensive coordinator at the time, and the interview occurred following the firing of Jim Caldwell. Metz told Will Graves of the Associated Press: "[Former Lions general manager] Bob Quinn knew he was hiring Matt Patricia and used Teryl to comply with the Rooney Rule. Didn't work out well for the Lions. Never should've fired Jim Caldwell."

The Rooney Rule has been in place since 2003, and it currently requires NFL teams to interview at least two external candidates from historically excluded groups for vacant head coaching jobs.

Austin, who is Black, was Detroit's defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2017. Caldwell, who is also Black, was Detroit's head coach during those seasons and led the Lions to a 36-28 record and two playoff appearances in his four-year stint.

Despite that, the Lions fired Caldwell and hired Patricia, who went 13-29-1 in parts of three seasons before he was relieved of his duties.

Austin spent one season as defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals after the Lions hired Patricia, and he has been part of the Steelers' staff since 2019.

While Austin has had several head coaching interviews during his NFL career, he has yet to be hired. Austin can only speculate on why he has been passed over: "It always leaves you wondering what happened, why you didn't get it. You can’t say for sure [if race was a factor]. ... Maybe I'm not what the owners see when they look in the mirror and they see leadership positions."

Some teams still need to fill their head coaching positions, but Mike Tomlin of the Steelers is currently the only Black head coach in the NFL, and there are only three head coaches of color in all.

Brian Flores, who was fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins at the conclusion of the 2021 regular season despite back-to-back winning seasons, spoke out against alleged racial discrimination in the NFL head coach hiring process this week.

Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and its teams this week. As part of his filing, Flores mentioned the Lions' firing of Caldwell despite his success and the subsequent hiring of Patricia over Austin and other Black candidates as evidence of racism in the league's hiring practices.

Flores also included text messages sent to him by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as evidence that the Giants had chosen their head coach before interviewing him.

The timing of the texts is key since Belichick seemed to know Daboll was getting the Giants' job even though Flores hadn't interviewed yet.

Brian Flores says he found out the Giants were hiring Brian Daboll as HC from Bill Belichick’s texts.

These screenshots were included in Flores’ lawsuit filed Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/Og8v60q3Kc

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2022

Flores went through with the interview, but the Giants did indeed hire Daboll.

Austin's agent suggested he experienced something similar with the Lions in 2018, and it stands to reason that many more coaches from historically excluded groups could come forward with similar stories of NFL teams that were apparently going through the motions to satisfy the Rooney Rule.

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes confirmed Thursday that he is willing to trade the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft for the right price.

Holmes said he is "never scared to move around" and is "open for business" while speaking to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero at the Senior Bowl:

I spoke at the @seniorbowl with #Lions GM Brad Holmes about taking advantage of this week, Jared Goff’s future and the chances he’ll trade out of the No. 2 pick: “I’m never scared to move around, so we’re definitely open for business, always.” @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/x8Fhc5ic4v

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 3, 2022

Detroit posted a 3-13-1 mark in 2021, which was its first season under head coach Dan Campbell and its first season without quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams and subsequently led L.A. to the Super Bowl.

Part of the package that came back in return for Stafford was quarterback Jared Goff, who had an up-and-down season in 2021. He went 3-10-1 as a starter and completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,245 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Holmes praised Goff for playing well down the stretch but also said Goff has to "prove it" during the offseason and preseason, and that he'll have to come in and compete. That suggests he isn't guaranteed to be the starter in 2022.

The Lions would normally be a prime candidate to take a quarterback second overall, but the 2022 draft class is considered a weak one for signal-callers.

As of now, there is no quarterback who is considered clearly worthy of a top-five pick, which is in stark contrast to last year when Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones all came off the board in the top 15. Lawrence, Wilson and Lance went one-two-three.

Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, Ole Miss' Matt Corral, Liberty's Malik Willis, North Carolina's Sam Howell and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder are some of the quarterbacks who have a chance to be first-round picks this year.

Taking any of them would be considered a major reach at second overall, though, which could compel the Lions to trade down if they are committed to getting a quarterback in the first round.

Detroit has a lot of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, and trading down could net an extra first-round pick. The Lions already have two first-rounders this year, as they acquired the Rams' first-round selection in the Stafford trade, which will be either 31st or 32nd overall depending on the result of the Super Bowl.

If the Lions stay put at No. 2 overall, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux stand out as the likeliest selections.

Detroit ranked 30th in sacks this past season, and either Hutchinson or Thibodeaux would provide a massive boost to the Lions' pass rush. Given that both are considered game-changing pass-rushers with the potential to be elite, it will likely take a lot to convince Holmes to move out of that No. 2 position.

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly scheduled to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn about their head coaching vacancy.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday the interview is set to happen at next week's Senior Bowl as the Saints begin to ramp up their efforts to find a replacement for Sean Payton, who stepped down Tuesday.

Glenn, a former NFL cornerback, played for the Saints in 2008. He returned to New Orleans as a defensive backs coach from 2016 through 2020.

The 49-year-old Texas native was a standout corner selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1994 draft after being voted an All-American his final season at Texas A&M.

Glenn earned three Pro Bowl selections, two with the Jets and one with the Houston Texans, during a 15-year playing career that ended after his season with the Saints. He's filled several roles since hanging up his cleats.

He spent a short time as a general manager for the Houston Stallions, an indoor team in the Lone Star Football League, before returning to the NFL as a scout for the New York Jets in 2012.

Glenn shifted to coaching in 2014 as a member of the Cleveland Browns staff. That was followed by his stint as the Saints DBs coach before he took a coordinator job for the first time in Detroit.

The Lions finished 29th in total defense in 2021. While they still ranked near the bottom of the league, they gave up 40 fewer yards per game (379.8 compared to 419.8) than in 2020, when they rated last in the NFL in that category.

After Detroit's season ended, he left the door open to exploring head coaching opportunities but said his focus remained on his current role.

"If it happens, those things happen, man," Glenn told reporters. "But listen, this is a job that I have right now, and I want to be the best I can be at it. And I want to be the best that ever came through Detroit. I want you guys to say that at some point, that he was the best coordinator ever. That's what my goal is."

Other candidates identified by the Saints include their own defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

New Orleans is getting a later start to the search than other teams in the market for a new head coach, but with only three hires confirmed so far, there are still plenty of options as five other organizations look to fill the void as well.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Friday quarterback Jared Goff is "highly unlikely" to play in Sunday's Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons after being placed on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported Tim Boyle would draw the start over fellow reserve David Blough if Goff is ruled out. 

The Lions' starting QB was among the record-setting 47 players placed on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

Acquiring the two-time Pro Bowler made sense for the Lions heading into the 2021 season. Matthew Stafford was on his way out the door, leaving them in need of a new starting quarterback.

The front office gave itself a full year to see whether Goff could be a long-term solution and turn his career around following a disappointing end to his Los Angeles Rams tenure.

Things haven't changed much for the 27-year-old in the Motor City. Through 13 games, he has thrown for 3,007 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. It's becoming increasingly clear the Lions will probably need to look toward the 2022 NFL draft for their next quarterback.

As much as Goff has struggled, Detroit's QB situation gets pretty dire without him.

Boyle started in a Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns, finishing 15-of-23 for 77 yards and two interceptions. Blough is the other alternative, and his last cameo saw him throwing for 984 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions over five games in 2019.