UPDATE: The Bears announced on Saturday afternoon that they have completed their initial interview with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as part of their coaching search.

The architect behind one of the league’s most stout defenses will have a chance to lead the Bears.

A request to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn by Ryan Poles and the Bears brass for their head coach opening, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The team also requested to interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Glenn can be interviewed starting Wednesday, during the bye week Detroit as the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

Glenn has been the defensive coordinator in Detroit for the last four seasons, leading the Lions to the NFC Championship game in the 2023-24 season and helping them to a 15-2 record in 2024.

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This season, the Lions ranked 9th in points allowed and had the third-best rush defense by yardage. Glenn and Detroit found success this season despite having six starters land on injured reserve, including key pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Entering Week 18, Detroit had 13 defensive players on injured reserve.

The Bears defense, which was expected to be a strength this season, ranked 26th out of 32 teams in yards allowed, including 29th in pass yards allowed and 25th in rush yards allowed. During the Bears season-sinking 10-game losing streak, the defense allowed 300 or more yards in 9 games, including 400 or more in 5 games.

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The unit really struggled after the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus on November 29, who also served as the defensive play caller for the Bears. In the three games after Eberflus’ dismissal, the Bears allowed 102 points and allowed 1,256 yards (34 points per game, 418.6 yards per game).

Glenn began his coaching career in 2014 with the Browns, serving as an assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons. In 2016, he was hired as the Saints’ defensive backs coach under Sean Payton, a role he held for 5 seasons before heading to Detroit.