Aaron Glenn is headed back to the Motor City, and it is clear the New York Jetshead coach has plenty of affection for the current era of Detroit Lions football that he helped build. He spent four seasons with Dan Campbell and served as the Lions' defensive coordinator from 2021-24 before leaving to become the Jets' head coach in January 2025. Now, he is bringing the Jets back to Ford Field in Week 3 with both teams sitting at 1-1 after disappointing losses last Sunday.
There will understandably be plenty of familiar faces and friendly exchanges when Glenn returns to Detroit. Once kickoff arrives, however, the nostalgia will have to take a back seat to the business of trying to get the Jets back into the win column. Glenn spoke openly about what
Detroit means to him when asked about his return.
"A place that I coached, a place that I have fond memories, a place that we want to win," Glenn said.
Aaron Glenn on returning to Detroit this weekend:
— SNY Jets (@snyjets) September 23, 2026
"A place that I coached, a place that I have fond memories, a place that we want to win." pic.twitter.com/owXJo3s7xZ
That last part is important. Glenn can appreciate his time with the Lions without losing sight of why he is returning. Detroit was a meaningful part of his coaching career, and his four seasons alongside Dan Campbell helped establish a relationship that remains significant to him.
Now Glenn has a different responsibility. His Jets enter the matchup looking to respond after letting a fourth-quarter lead slip away against the Packers,while Detroit is also trying to rebound from its own Week 2 loss. Neither team needs another storyline to motivate it.
The reunion will be meaningful, and Glenn will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome from people he worked alongside for four seasons. Once the game begins, though, sentimentality will matter very little. Glenn wants to win in a place he still remembers fondly, and that makes Sunday's trip to Detroit an especially interesting chapter in his second season leading the Jets.v
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks forward to a game-day reunion vs. Lions
