Lions OC Ben Johnson Stays in Detroit for 2024 Season

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has communicated to the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks that he will remain in Detroit, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Despite receiving considerable interest and being considered a top candidate for the head-coaching position with the Commanders during the Lions’ playoff preparations, the 37-year-old has decided to stay with Detroit. As the team continues its quest for its inaugural Super Bowl victory, Johnson will continue in his role.

Latest American Football League Scores & Updates.

Ben Johnson played a pivotal role in revitalizing Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions’ performance. Joining the team in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach, Johnson steadily progressed through the ranks, serving as tight ends coach, passing game coordinator, and ultimately becoming offensive coordinator last season.

In the season preceding his promotion, the 2021-22 Lions struggled, ranking 25th in points scored and 22nd in yards gained in the NFL. Goff’s debut season with the team was disappointing, concluding with a 3-13-1 record, while Matthew Stafford, traded to the Rams, went on to win a Super Bowl.

The transformation under Johnson’s leadership was remarkable. Goff experienced a significant improvement, emerging as one of the NFL’s most efficient quarterbacks. Under Johnson’s guidance, the overall offense surged to fifth in points and fourth in yards, showcasing a diverse and creative scheme that consistently surprised opposing defenses.

The positive momentum extended into this season, resulting in a commendable 12-5 record and the Detroit Lions clinching their first division title since 1993. Unfortunately, the season concluded with a 34-31 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game on Sunday, extending the franchise’s championship drought to 68 years.

Despite being among the 12 teams that have never secured the Lombardi Trophy, the Lions stand out as one of just four teams in the league that has never made an appearance in the Super Bowl.

Last offseason, Ben Johnson was considered for head coaching positions, interviewing with the Houston Texans, who ultimately hired DeMeco Ryans. This time, Johnson garnered even more attention as a prominent candidate, receiving requests from the Commanders, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Chargers. However, his salary expectations reportedly surprised some organizations, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The appealing aspects of the Detroit coaching setup this year were evident, attracting interest from teams with head coach vacancies. Despite the attention, Johnson opted to stay with the Lions for what he sees as unfinished business. This decision likely brings relief to those eager to see the Lions build on their impressive 2023 performance. Nonetheless, there remains the possibility of the coaching staff losing a key member during the ongoing head coaching hiring cycle.

As Commanders officials were en route to Detroit for a meeting with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, they were informed of Johnson’s decision to stay with the Lions, according to information from Schefter. Despite Johnson’s decision, Washington’s leadership reportedly still expresses interest in meeting with Glenn for their head coach position.

Glenn, recently recognized as the league’s top defensive coordinator in an NFLPA survey involving over 1,700 players, assumed the role of defensive coordinator with the Lions in 2021, marking his 10th season as an NFL coach in the 2023 campaign. The former first-round draft pick previously held positions in the New York Jets front office and served as defensive backs coach with the New Orleans Saints (2016-2020) and assistant defensive backs coach with the Cleveland Browns (2014-15).

Depending on the outcome of Glenn’s interview with Washington, Detroit may retain both coordinators, setting the stage for what could be a historic 2024 season for the franchise.