The Lions will receive a third-round pick in the next two drafts to lose Aaron Glenn

The Lions certainly would have preferred to keep Aaron Glenn as their defensive coordinator, but the Jets hiring him as their head coach will give them a return in the form of draft picks.

In the 2021 recruiting cycle, the NFL began dangling a carrot for teams to develop minority candidates. Teams that lose minority assistants or front office personnel to other teams receive two compensatory draft picks.

Thus, the Lions will receive a third-round pick in 2025 and a third-round pick in 2026 for losing Glenn. The picks are placed at the end of the third round after other compensatory picks are made.

The 49ers (DeMeco Ryans/Ran Carthon) and Rams (Raheem Morris) have multiple picks remaining for former minority hires.

The Lions had six picks in the 2025 draft before Glenn’s departure.