Get ready for some serious drama this Sunday when the Jets face the Bears, because Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson are about to square off on the sidelines for the first time ever. While it’s their first in-game battle, don’t think for a second these guys haven’t been going head-to-head. Glenn just revealed they’ve got a long, competitive history that shaped them both into the coaches they are today.
“Made Each Other Better”: The Lions’ Secret Weapon
These two spent four intense years together on the Lions’ coaching staff, from 2021 through 2024. Glenn was running the defense, and Johnson was orchestrating the offense. Talk about a perfect setup for some daily fireworks! Glenn admitted their practice matchups were absolutely fierce. He said, “We were so competitive in move the ball situations on how we wanted to beat each other, but it made both of us better, I will say that.” That kind of competitive fire, week in and week out, breeds excellence. No wonder Glenn didn’t hesitate to call Johnson a “damn good coach.” You can bet they pushed each other to their limits every single day.
Behind the Scenes: Practice Planning and Brain Picking
It wasn’t just about pure competition either. Glenn explained that when you have offensive and defensive coordinators, you’re constantly planning practices. They had to figure out what they wanted to see against each other to get both units the work they needed. That means a ton of communication and strategizing together. Glenn stated, “The communication between me and him was always outstanding. . . . Just talking offensive and defensive football was good to have.” They were picking each other’s brains, learning, and growing together through constant collaboration and intense rivalry. Both men eventually left Detroit in 2025, moving on to their current roles.
Now, as they stand on opposing sidelines this Sunday, we get to see the culmination of that four-year coaching crucible. Will Glenn’s defensive insights into Johnson’s offensive mind give the Jets an edge, or will Johnson’s deep understanding of Glenn’s defensive philosophy pay off for the Bears? Get ready, because these two coaches made each other better, and now they’re bringing that sharpened skill set directly against one another. It’s going to be an incredible chess match to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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