Sources – Ben Johnson nixes head-coach jobs to stay with Lions،
DETROIT — Days after the Detroit Lions lost in the NFC championship game, a key part of the team's future decided to stay put.
Ben Johnson is choosing to stay with the Lions as offensive coordinator rather than pursue vacant head coaching positions with the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Sources told Schefter that some teams were hesitant about Johnson's asking price to become head coach.
Commanders officials were on their way to Detroit for a meeting with Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn when they learned Johnson was staying with the Lions, sources told Schefter. Although Johnson's abrupt change was considered “surprising” by several league sources, he was not considered a lock for the Washington job, despite his solid reputation as a loyal coordinator and coach, they said. indicated the sources. The Commanders management team remains eager to meet with the respected Glenn, who is one of several candidates the team is expected to consider for its vacant head coaching position, sources said.
Johnson had also interviewed for head coaching positions with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers before those positions were filled by Raheem Morris, Dave Canales and Jim Harbaugh, respectively.
For the second straight offseason, Johnson was considered one of the hottest names on the NFL head coaching market and, despite serious interest elsewhere, returned to the Lions.
Last year, Johnson also interviewed for top jobs with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts, and he was scheduled to meet with the Panthers in Charlotte before informing the Lions he would return. This season, he helped the Lions tie their most wins in a single season in franchise history (12) and earn their first playoff victories in more than three decades.
Johnson, 37, has been the Lions' offensive coordinator the past two seasons. He is a finalist for the Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Head coach Dan Campbell has fielded many questions in recent weeks about his plans to replace Johnson, should he accept a head coaching opportunity, but he won't have to answer them anytime soon.
“Yeah, if it comes to that, obviously it's very important. I mean, he was a vital part for us. He's a vital part. And I'm not worried about it right now,” Campbell said Monday. “I need at least two hours of sleep and then I'll get started. But I'm not going to rush, I can promise you that. I'm not in a mad rush. I'm going to make sure it's RIGHT.”
This season, the Lions finished third in total yards (6,712) and fifth in points scored (461). Additionally, Jared Goff has enjoyed a career resurgence under Johnson, which the veteran quarterback considers unique and special.
“I think about how much he allows me to have input and whether he takes it or not, he allows me to say it and use some of it. It's fun for me, it really is ” Goff said of Johnson last week. before the NFC title game. “It allows me to really be part of the plan in some ways. And he's a great listener and he listens not only to me, but to all the players, what they want, what they see. And that's not just throughout the week, but on game day, the same way.”
Johnson has been with the Lions since 2019, when he was the offensive quality control coach. He served as the team's tight ends coach in 2020 and 2021, also adding passing game coordinator duties in 2021 before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022.
