Schefter: Lions’ Ben Johnson Will Be ‘Very, Very Selective’ About HC Opportunities

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVNovember 7, 2024

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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be the hottest head coaching candidate in the NFL once the 2024 regular season ends, but that reportedly doesn’t mean he will immediately jump at the opportunity to take a head coaching job.

Speaking Thursday on Get Up, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said Johnson will be “very, very selective about the place that he chooses to go if he decides even to leave Detroit.”

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterOn the future of Lions OC Ben Johnson… pic.twitter.com/z1Z5xcF4LZ

Johnson likely could have taken head coaching jobs in each of the past two offseasons, but he turned down an interview with the Carolina Panthers after the 2022 season and decided to stay with the Lions as their OC despite interviewing with the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons after last season.

After serving as the Lions’ offensive quality control coach, tight ends coach and then passing game coordinator from 2019 to 2021, head coach Dan Campbell promoted him to offensive coordinator in 2022.

Perhaps not coincidentally, that came at the same time as the Lions’ offense exploding and Detroit becoming a playoff contender once again.

After going just 3-13-1 in Campbell’s first season at the helm in 2021, the Lions improved to 9-8 and narrowly missed the playoffs in 2022. The offense was the biggest reason for their progress, as the team ranked fourth in total offense and fifth in scoring offense.

It was more of the same last season with Detroit ranking third in total offense and fifth in scoring offense, while also going 12-5 and making it all the way to the NFC Championship Game.

At 7-1, the Lions have the best record in the NFC this season and are only one game behind the 8-0 Kansas City Chiefs for the best record in the NFL.

Johnson’s offense continues to hum along, ranking seventh in total yardage and first in scoring with 32.3 points per game.

Quarterback Jared Goff is an MVP candidate, completing a league-best 74.9 percent of his passes for 1,840 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Also, the running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs has dominated to the tune of 1,144 combined rushing yards and 14 combined rushing touchdowns for a Detroit team that is sixth in the NFL with 152.6 rushing yards per game.

Johnson seems to have the ideal personnel for his system, which suggests the Lions could continue to be an offensive juggernaut for years to come.

Because of that, the 38-year-old can afford to pick and choose where he wants to go and wait until he has the opportunity to take what he believes to be the best possible job available.

It isn’t yet known which roles will be open once the 2024 season ends, but if a talented team currently struggling such as the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals or Dallas Cowboys decides to make a coaching change, it is fair to wonder if one of them will be attractive enough to Johnson to convince him to make the leap.