Ben Johnson to stay with Lions over leaving for Commanders, Seahawks
Shortly after the Detroit Lions lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson changed course on his future plans.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson chose to stay with the Lions rather than pursue a possible head coaching gig with the Washington Commanders.
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Johnson was viewed as a potential frontrunner for the open vacancy, but he chose against taking the leap just yet. He had spoken to the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers before each franchise chose to go another direction.
Johnson was viewed as a hot commodity on the head coaching front after another highly productive year as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. The 37-year-old called for one of the league’s most productive offenses, which ranked fifth in points scored and third in total years.
His pairing with quarterback Jared Goff has helped the former first-overall pick rejuvenate his career in Detroit.
“I think how much input he allows me to have and whether he takes it or he doesn’t, he allows me to say it and uses some of it. It’s fun for me, it really is,” Goff said of Johnson last week ahead of the NFC title game via ESPN. “It allows me to really be a part of the plan in some ways. And he’s a great listener and listens to not only me, but all the players of what they want, what they see. And that’s not only through the week, but on game day the same way.”
With Johnson still in tow, the Lions should have another highly productive campaign ahead in 2024.
