Ben Johnson was one of the most sought after candidates in the last training cycle.
Johnson had at least one interview with the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, NFL Network reported in January. But he withdrew his name from consideration to remain in Detroit.
Johnson spent the last two seasons as the Lions' offensive coordinator. The 38-year-old assistant coach was the architect of one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2023.
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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field on Sept. 24, 2023, in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
In January, Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said Johnson's decision to stay centered on “unfinished business.”
“I said, 'So what's wrong with you? You did an interview. Are you leaving?'” St. Brown said on his podcast “St. Brown Brothers” about a text message exchange with Johnson. “He told me, 'You know what? I'm on my way to the facility right now.' He said he couldn't sleep last night. He was thinking about it and said, 'There's unfinished business.' He wants to stay.”
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This week, Johnson shed more light on his surprising decision to stay and said he was happy with his situation with the Lions.
“At the end of the day, I wanted to be out in the sun a little bit more,” Johnson told reporters at Lions practice.
“That's really what it means to me. I like the sunshine. I like what we've built here, starting with the ownership, the head coach, the general manager and going down. We've got a great group of guys in the locker room, and I want to reap the rewards with them for a little longer.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Jared Goff (16) talk on the field before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on Nov. 23, 2023 in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Johnson added that any future head coaching opportunities would have to be a good fit for him to consider leaving the Lions.
“When I look at it from that perspective, if I have the opportunity to go down that path, it's about how do I get to that second contract. How do I prepare? The stars have to align. I'm not going to do it just to do it. I love how I love where I am. My family loves where we are. “I'm not willing to go the other way yet unless I feel really good about how it's going to play out.”
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and head coach Dan Campbell before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Johnson acknowledged that he would likely have to go through an “adjustment period” if he accepted the head coaching job, but he also made it clear that he would not want to give up his play-calling duties.
“It's the ownership, it's the staff, it's my vision of how I can make it work just the way I know I am,” Johnson said. “Part of me loves to call plays. If I took a head coaching job, I'd like to be a play-calling head coach. Well, there's a limit to how much time there is in a week. So “What is it? Is it going to look like Monday to Sunday in that sense? I just want to make sure everything is well defined. Listen, there's an adjustment period for every person who takes that job.”
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The Lions have averaged the fourth-most points per game since Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022. He served as the team's passing game coordinator in 2021. Detroit's 387.4 yards per game were the best in the NFL .
Rookies Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta thrived in their first seasons in Johnson's offense. Both players received Rookie of the Year consideration. Johnson successfully implemented creative plays throughout the season and four Lions players finished the year with 500 or more yards from scrimmage.
Johnson will likely be a highly sought-after head coaching candidate in the 2025 cycle. But his decision to remain in Detroit allowed the Lions to focus on other offseason priorities instead of worrying about filling a gaping hole on the coaching staff.
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