Top head coach candidate Ben Johnson makes surprising decision
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 was at one point viewed as the hottest name on the head coach market, but he is not ready to leave his current job.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Tuesday that Johnson has informed the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks — the two remaining NFL teams with head coach vacancies — that he is staying with the Lions for at least another season.
#Lions OC Ben Johnson informed the #Seahawks and #Commanders that he’s staying in Detroit, per sources.
Johnson is still only 37 and will be a hot head coaching candidate again next year. But first, he wants to take another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/lPg2Po33sx
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 30, 2024
Johnson was considered the heavy favorite for the Washington job. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday he was not convinced Johnson would be the next head coach of the Commanders. It is unclear if Johnson did not want the job or Washington preferred a different candidate, but the former seems more likely.
Johnson is only 37 and has been highly successful in Detroit, so there is no real risk in him waiting for another opportunity. He will likely be a sought-after candidate again a year from now.
The Lions were on the verge of reaching the Super Bowl before their collapse against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, so Johnson wants to pursue a championship under head coach Dan Campbell one more time.
The Commanders met this week with another candidate whose team was just eliminated from the postseason, and he will now likely be viewed as the favorite for the job.