Where did Aaron Glenn play football? Revisiting his Jets, Saints NFL playing career

Lions coach Dan Campbell said in the wake of Detroit’s upset divisional round loss that he expected to lose both his offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason, and it didn’t take long for the first shoe to drop.

OC Ben Johnson left the Lions on Monday to become the Bears‘ next head coach. Glenn is soon expected to do the same, with the Jets and Saints — two of his former teams — considered the front-runners.

Glenn’s defense struggled mightily against the Commanders in a 45-31 playoff defeat, but he wasn’t left with much to work with after numerous injuries ravaged the unit down the stretch. A highly-regarded leader in the locker room, Glenn remained a hot head coaching candidate despite a rough finish — and he got his chance with a team he once suited up for.

Here’s a look back at Glenn’s NFL playing career as a defensive back. 

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Where did Aaron Glenn play football?

Before Glenn emerged as one of the NFL’s most respected coordinators, he spent 15 seasons in the league as a cornerback. 

The Jets selected Glenn with the No. 12 overall pick of the 1994 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, lasting eight seasons in New York despite being one of the league’s most undersized defensive backs at just 5-9.

Glenn had 24 interceptions in eight years with the Jets, serving as a full-time starter for the duration of his tenure and earning Pro Bowl selections in both 1997 and 1998.

Glenn’s time in New York ended when the Texans selected him in the 2002 expansion draft. He spent three seasons in Houston, earning a third Pro Bowl selection with five interceptions in 2002, before two years with the Cowboys, one with the Jaguars, and one final campaign with the Saints.

While Glenn played for five teams, he only made 13 starts outside of New York and Houston.

Here’s a closer look at Glenn’s stats from his NFL career.

Aaron Glenn NFL stats

New York Jets

Glenn is fourth in Jets history with 24 interceptions and second in the Super Bowl era behind only Hall of Fame CB Darrelle Revis.

Houston Texans

Glenn was one of two Pro Bowlers on the Texans’ inaugural team alongside DE Gary Walker.

Dallas Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars

New Orleans Saints

Glenn didn’t see the field much in his final season, but his connection to Sean Payton ultimately paid off. Glenn would return to the Saints as Payton’s defensive backs coach in 2016 and spent five seasons in the role before joining the Lions.