Here’s everything you need to know about the NFL draft pick compensation after Aaron Glenn’s departure to the Jets for their head coaching job.
After Aaron Glenn, former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, accepted the head coaching position with the New York Jets, the Lions are set to receive additional draft pick compensation. This marks the first time in franchise history that Detroit qualifies for this benefit, leading to several questions about how it works, what the Lions are gaining, and whether more picks could follow in the future.
We’ll break it down in this FAQ about NFL coaching changes and compensatory pick compensation.
What compensation are the Lions receiving?
The Lions will receive two third-round picks—one in 2025 and another in 2026—due to Aaron Glenn leaving for the Jets’ head coaching position.
Why are they getting this compensation?
This compensation stems from a relatively recent change to the Rooney Rule in NFL bylaws. Introduced in 2003, the Rooney Rule was designed to create more opportunities for minority coaches and front-office staff in the NFL. While the rule is best known for requiring teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coach, GM, and coordinator roles, it was expanded in November 2020. This expansion incentivizes teams by offering draft picks if they develop minority employees who are hired by another team as head coach or GM.
Under this rule, if a minority coach or front-office employee is hired by another team for one of these high-level positions, the team that lost them will receive two third-round compensatory picks, one for each of the next two seasons. If a team loses both a head coach and GM to other teams in a single offseason, they will receive three compensatory picks in total. Importantly, the minority employee must have been with the original team for at least two full seasons. Glenn, having been with Detroit for four seasons, qualifies.
Where will these compensatory picks fall in the third round?
They will be placed at the very end of the third round, following all other free agency-related compensatory picks. Currently, OverTheCap projects only two compensatory picks in the third round (one for the Vikings due to Kirk Cousins and another for the Dolphins because of Robert Hunt). With 96 regular picks, two compensatory picks for free agency, plus two Rooney Rule compensatory picks from previous hires (Raheem Morris in 2024 and the 49ers losing DeMeco Ryans and Ran Carthon in 2023), the Lions’ 2025 compensatory pick is projected to be Pick 101.
However, if any other teams receive compensatory picks due to hiring a minority head coach or GM, the order of those picks will be determined by the regular draft order. The Lions, currently at 28th in draft order, would receive their compensatory pick ahead of the four playoff teams—Chiefs, Bills, Eagles, and Commanders—if those teams are awarded Rooney Rule compensatory picks.
As of now, no other minority GM or head coach hires have been made this year.
What about compensation for Ben Johnson or Terrell Williams?
Since Johnson is not a minority candidate, he is not eligible for compensation under the Rooney Rule. Williams, on the other hand, did not receive a head coaching promotion, so no compensation is due for his departure. Additionally, Williams only spent one season with Detroit, so even if he were hired as a head coach, the Lions wouldn’t be entitled to compensation.
What about Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew?
If Agnew were to be hired by another team as their general manager, the Lions would receive an additional compensatory pick in 2027. However, Agnew has not interviewed for any general manager roles at this time.
What picks do the Lions have in the 2025 NFL Draft?
- Round 1: Pick 28
- Round 2: Pick 60
- Round 3: Pick 101 (via Aaron Glenn loss)
- Round 4: TBD
- Round 6: TBD (via Buccaneers—Carlton Davis trade)
- Round 7: TBD (via Cowboys—Terrion Arnold trade up)
- Round 7: TBD
The exact placement of the Lions’ picks in Rounds 3-7 will be determined by compensatory picks awarded.
What picks do the Lions have in the 2026 NFL Draft?
- First round
- Second round
- Third round
- Third round (via Aaron Glenn loss)
- Fourth round
- Fifth round
- Seventh round (via Browns—Za’Darius Smith trade)
- Seventh round
