Insider explains why OC Ben Johnson stayed with Lions for 2024 season

Even before the Detroit Lions completed a trip to the NFC Championship Game played in January 2024, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was routinely mentioned as a head-coaching candidate for clubs such as the Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks. 

Johnson ultimately stayed with Detroit for another season, and senior NFL writer Mike Silver of The Athletic spoke about that decision during the latest edition of the "Scoop City" podcast. 

"He said something really cool," Silver explained about Johnson's mindset. "'I was an assistant in Miami for years. I was an assistant here under (former Lions head coach) Matt Patricia. I haven’t really had very many winning seasons in this league until now. I want to experience what that is, and I’ve learned from (current Detroit coach) Dan Campbell.'"

Silver continued: "I do think [Johnson is] going to be a good head coach when he decides to do it, but I wouldn’t assume anything when it comes to him."

As Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press shared, Campbell promoted Johnson from tight ends coach/unofficial pass game coordinator to offensive coordinator in February 2022. The 2022 Lions subsequently went 8-2 after Halloween and finished the season at 9-8. Johnson became a hot name in head-coaching rumors after the club fell one win short of playing in Super Bowl LVIII. 

In January, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer was among NFL insiders who said that "Johnson didn’t knock his first interview with Washington out of the park" following the 2023 regular season. Additionally, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that "Johnson was not the head-coaching lock that people thought, and his asking price spooked some teams." 

Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Johnson suggested this past spring that there were "some false narratives going on out there" regarding why he remained with the Lions. 

"People thought he’d go to Carolina; he didn’t take that job. People thought he took that Washington job; he didn’t. I think he doesn’t like the presumption that he’s doing something," Silver added about Johnson. "He doesn’t like, during the season, being talked about, let alone being contacted. He just wants to coach and try to help the Lions."

As recently as Wednesday morning, ESPN's Dan Graziano hinted that the Chicago Bears will heavily pursue Johnson to help quarterback Caleb Williams take steps in the right direction following Williams' up-and-down rookie campaign. Many have credited Johnson for Detroit's Jared Goff emerging as a top-tier signal-caller since the start of last season. 

As much as teams with young quarterbacks, such as the Bears, may covet Johnson, it sounds like he once again will keep all options open as the 11-1 Lions attempt to reach Super Bowl LIX.