Ben Johnson’s agent has strong response to report about salary demands

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson answers a question before OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters in Allen Park on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Photo Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is one of the hottest head coach candidates in the NFL heading into the upcoming hiring cycle, but his agent says any talk of Johnson wanting to be paid like a proven Super Bowl champion is absurd.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported on Thursday that some NFL team owners have been told Johnson wants to make around $15 million per year. That salary would make Johnson one of the highest-paid coaches in the league, placing him on the same level as Bill Belichick, Sean Payton, Sean McVay and Pete Carroll.

Johnson’s agent, Richmond Flowers III, says Anderson’s report is completely inaccurate. He ripped Anderson via social media for her “100% false and irresponsible reporting.”

I'm told personnel around the league are discussing their awareness that there is no asking price or demand and this tweet is 100% false and irresponsible reporting, per source. https://t.co/6RMT3GaHCU

— Richmond Flowers III (@Richmond__3) December 21, 2023

Johnson has every right to aim high, but it is highly unlikely that any team will be willing to give him $15 million per year. The 37-year-old has no previous head coaching experience. The highest-paid coaches in the NFL all have something very important thing in common — they have each won many playoff games and at least one Super Bowl.

Assuming his salary demands do not get out of control, Johnson should have multiple offers for head coach jobs in the coming weeks. He has supposedly been warned against taking one of them, but he will have plenty of leverage during the interview process.