The most up to date head training candidate of the closing two hiring cycles is staying put.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson advised the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders that he’ll go back to Detroit for any other season, consistent with a document from NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero. The 37-year-old trainer additionally had head training interviews with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans.
That is the second one time that Johnson has pulled his title out of the top training dialog. The Lions offensive coordinator had interviews with the Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts prior to rescinding his title.
Johnson’s resume used to be even higher in his moment season as offensive coordinator. In 2023, the Lions post the second-most issues in franchise historical past consistent with Professional Soccer Reference. In line with FTN, the 2023 Lions posted their first top-five end in offensive DVOA since a minimum of 1981. The 2022 and 2023 Lions are 1/3 and fourth, respectively, in franchise historical past in yards according to offensive play.
A part of the explanation Johnson needs to stick in Detroit, consistent with ESPN Commanders reporter Nicki Jhabvala, is that he needs to win a Tremendous Bowl. That’s each a promising signal for Detroit’s 2024 possibilities and a not-so-subtle dig on the final head training alternatives. After making their first NFC Championship in 32 seasons, the Lions are returning 38 of the 53 gamers on their roster and boast the sixth-most cap house within the NFL this offseason.
The Commanders and Seahawks, alternatively, are lovely a long way from reputable rivalry. Washington is about to go into a full-on rebuild; whilst they’re provided with the second one total select and a league-leading $73.6 million in cap house, they’re nonetheless far clear of being the highest group in their very own department, let by myself their convention. The Seattle Seahawks are a middle-of-the-pack group wanting a defensive rebuild. The Seahawks completed the 2023 season with the third-worst EPA/play within the league, consistent with RBSDM. Johnson would even have large sneakers to fill, changing the winningest trainer in franchise historical past Pete Carroll.
Alternatively, consistent with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson wasn’t essentially a lock for a head training place this cycle. One of the most largest reported roadblocks in that dialogue used to be his asking worth. Again in December, CBS Sports activities’ Josina Anderson reported that Johnson used to be in search of a payday of “a minimum of or round” $15 million according to yr.
Johnson is returning the top trainer who gave him his first coordinator alternative in Dan Campbell. Johnson and Campbell labored in combination at the Miami Dolphins body of workers prior to Johnson left for Detroit. Campbell saved Johnson on his body of workers as a decent ends trainer after taking at the head training position in 2021, selling Johnson to offensive coordinator in 2022.
In an interview with Kevin Clark, Johnson outlined the original courting he had with Campbell, particularly outlining how badly he doesn’t wish to disappoint him.
“That will weigh down me,” Johnson mentioned. “If I knew that I upset him … he wouldn’t must yell. He wouldn’t have to mention the rest. Simply realizing that I let him down would do it.”
Johnson could have upset Campbell with a few of his play calls within the Lions’ cave in within the NFC Championship. Particularly, Johnson referred to as a third-and-goal run to David Bernard Law Montgomery that were given filled for a loss with simply over a minute left to move in legislation. It compelled Detroit to burn a timeout, getting rid of any sensible likelihood of Detroit getting the ball again from San Francisco. In line with RBSDM’s win likelihood style, the verdict value the Lions 4.7 p.c in win likelihood.
