Part of multiple teams’ HC searches during this year’s cycle, Ben Johnson is bowing out. The young offensive coordinator is opting to stay with the Lions, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
Despite entering this season having not called plays before, Johnson became a hot name.
The Colts, Panthers and Texans requested interviews with him. Carolina’s meeting was to take place Wednesday, but that will no longer come to pass.
Johnson, 36, had already interviewed virtually with the Colts and Texans. But he was viewed as a frontrunner for the Panthers job.
Assistants’ stocks can change quickly, making Johnson’s decision somewhat risky, but the Detroit play-caller views the Detroit situation as promising enough to pass on this year’s lot of available jobs.
Dan Campbell promoted Johnson to OC last year, after the team moved on from Anthony Lynn after one season. The Lions’ offense led the way to the team becoming one of the season’s biggest surprises.
Jared Goff delivered a bounce-back showing, going from bridge starter to a player the Lions believe they can use as a long-term starter, and Jamaal Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns.
The former Packers draftee finished the season with 17, breaking Barry Sanders‘ record during the Lions’ upset win in Green Bay that prevented a Pack playoff appearance.
The Lions also have Amon-Ra St. Brown signed through 2024 and Jameson Williams inked through 2025. The team wants to bring back D.J. Chark, and the former Jaguars second-round pick said recently (via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers) he wants to stay in Detroit.
D’Andre Swift battled injuries this season, and Williams’ rise impeded the 2020 second-rounder’s role. But he remains under contract as well. Although Williams is a free agent, his Hard Knocks performance and season-wrapping NBC interview certainly point to an interest in sticking around.
The Lions also have their entire starting offensive line under contract for the 2023 season.
This would set up Johnson to draw interest again in 2024, though he is passing on parlaying his first Detroit OC season — which produced top-five rankings in scoring, yardage and DVOA — into a gig this year.
But Johnson has been with the Lions since 2019, moving from the quality control level to tight ends coach to OC.
While Matt Patricia hired Johnson, he had worked with Campbell in Miami. Johnson will bet on his value remaining high after the 2023 season.
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