The Detroit Lions will need to deal with the loss of heralded defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who left town in the offseason to take the reins as head coach of his old team in the New York Jets. There is one benefit that losing Glenn will bring to this franchise, though it is off the field.
The Rooney Rule has been changed in recent years, as the league has decided to compensate teams who are able to develop quality minority coaching and executive candidates. After earning pick No. 102 in this draft, the Lions will once again earn a very prized pick in next year's festivites.
As part of the Rooney Rule, the Lions will earn a third-round compensatory pick next year after the Jets hired Glenn. The rule stipulates that any team that loses a minority candidate to a head coach or GM job will earn a third round pick in two consecutive seasons.
Lions earn extra third-round pick after Aaron Glenn joins Jets
The Lions didn't end up using the No. 102 overall pick in this year's draft, but they did package it in a move up to No. 70 overall to select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. Brad Holmes could make a similar move if given the right ammunition in the 2026 Draft as well.
The Lions may be able to emulate the roster building success of the San Francisco 49ers, as they have received multiple third-round picks after losing coaches like DeMeco Ryans and Robert Saleh in addition to executives like Ran Carthon. San Francisoc has continuously restocked their depth this way.
Detroit has the opportunity to once again earn more Rooney Rule picks over the next few years. New defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, Glenn's replacement, is regarded as a tremendous rising coach who could earn some head coach attention if he is able to improve upon what Glenn put in place.
Losing Glenn is a difficult pill to swallow, but giving a GM like Holmes an extra Day 2 draft pick could ensure that Detroit continues to contend without him. Time will tell if Shepphard can prove to be a solid facsimile of Glenn at DC.
