Former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is poaching Dan Campbell’s staff to improve his offense.
Former Lions assistant tight ends coach Seth Ryan will join the New York Jets coaching staff as the team’s new passing game coordinator. Ryan has a history with the Jets organization, with his father, Rex, once being the Jets’ head coach, and his grandfather, Buddy, also coaching in New York for seven years.
Ryan spent five seasons with the Lions organization in various capacities. He spent his first four years as the team’s assistant receivers coach and moved to the tight ends room in 2025 to help new position coach Tyler Rohr with his duties.
However, Roll left the staff after one season to become Iowa State’s new offensive coordinator. Detroit promoted Steve Oliver, who previously served as the team’s assistant offensive line coach, to replace Rohr.
During his time with the Lions, Ryan helped develop players such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and, most recently, Sam Laporta. He helped oversee one of the most prolific receiving corps in the NFL, with two receivers with 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons.
New Ryans in New York: Sources say the Jets are hiring Lions assistant tight ends coach Seth Ryan as passing game coordinator.
Seth Ryan succeeded his father, Rex, who became the third generation of the Ryan family to coach the Jets, following his father, Buddy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2026
Ryan had been passed over for promotions by the Lions organization in the past. In an interview with detroit football networkhe admitted his disappointment, but accepted the move to the tight end room, believing it would help his future in both the short and long term.
“He sees my future. He’s like, he sees you going into this, and this is going to help you. And there’s got to be a lot of trust with the head coach,” Ryan said in September. “This is my fifth season with him. I completely trust this guy. He knows exactly how to help the staff, how to help the team. He helped me a lot in my career, so I’m going to trust him.”
In 2025, Glenn’s first season as head coach, the Jets struggled offensively. They had three different starters behind center and had problems and inconsistency at the quarterback position.
Another former Lions coach, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, was not retained after the season and took a position on the Atlanta Falcons’ coaching staff. The Jets have hired former Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich as their new offensive coordinator, and Ryan will work closely with him in his new role.
Ryan played at Clemson University and served as a quality control coach for the Los Angeles Chargers for two seasons before coming to Detroit.