After former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn accepted a job as the next head coach of the New York Jets, the Lions are in line for some extra draft pick compensation. This is the first time in franchise history they’ve been eligible for this perk, so, naturally, there are a lot of questions about how it works, what the Lions exactly are getting, and if there’s an opportunity for more picks down the line.

Let’s answer all of your questions here in an FAQ about NFL coaching changes and compensatory pick compensation.

What compensation are the Lions getting?

The Lions are getting two third-round picks—one in 2025, one in 2026—for Aaron Glenn leaving to become the head coach of the Jets.

Why are they getting this compensation?

It’s a relatively-new part of the Rooney Rule in the NFL bylaws. The Rooney Rule, implemented in 2003, was created to increase the number of opportunities for minority coaches and front office employees within the NFL.

While the Rooney Rule is most commonly known as the requirement for teams to interview at least two minority candidates for coach, GM, and coordinator positions, in November of 2020, the Rooney Rule was expanded to reward teams who developed minority employees.

Per this newer stipulation, if a minority coach or front office member is hired by another team as their next head coach or general manager, the employee’s original team will be rewarded two third-round compensatory picks, one in each of the next two seasons. If a team loses minority employees to both a head coach and general manager position in a single offseason, they will get three compensatory picks total.

One important note of this policy, the minority employee must have been with their original team for at least two full seasons. Glenn has been with Detroit for four, so he qualifies.

Where will these compensatory picks be in the third round?

At the very end, after all of the other free agency-related compensatory picks are awarded. As of right now, OverTheCap is projecting just two third-round compensatory picks (Vikings for Kirk Cousins and Dolphins for Robert Hunt). With 96 normal draft picks, two compensatory picks via free agency, plus two Rooney Rule compensatory picks from past hires (Raheem Morris in 2024 + 49ers losing DeMeco Ryans and Ran Carthon in 2023), that would line up the Lions’ 2025 compensatory pick to be Pick 101 as of right now.

However, if any other teams are set to receive compensatory picks due to head coach coach or general manager hirings, the order of those compensatory picks will be based on normal draft order. With the Lions 28th in draft order, their compensatory pick would only be ahead of the four teams still remaining in the playoffs—Chiefs, Bills, Eagles, Commanders)—if those teams receive Rooney Rule compensatory picks.

As of right now, there have not been any additional minority GM or head coach hirings this year.

What about compensation for Ben Johnson or Terrell Williams?

Johnson is not a minority candidate, so he does not fall under the Rooney Rule.

Williams did not get a promotion to a head coaching position, so the Lions are not eligible for compensation. Additionally, Williams only spent a season with Detroit, so even if he were hired as a head coach, the Lions would not receive compensation.

What about Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew?

If Agnew were to be hired as another team’s general manager, the Lions would indeed get one more compensatory pick in 2027. However, at this time, Agnew has not interviewed for a general manager position.

So 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

*Where the Lions pick in Round 3-7 will be determined by the amount of compensatory picks awarded.

So 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