The writing was on the wall at the end of the season. Now it's been spelled out: the Lions are promoting tight ends coach Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator, according to the NFL Network.
Johnson assumed a bigger role in game-planning after Dan Campbell took over play-calling from former OC Anthony Lynn midway through last season, effectively serving as passing game coordinator. And the Lions' offense was much better in the second half, averaging about five more points per game. They reached 20-plus points four times in the final six games after doing so just once in the first 11.
Jared Goff, in particular, benefited from Johnson's elevation in the offense. After posting eight touchdowns, six picks and a passer rating of 85.3 in the first half of the season, Goff posted 11 touchdowns, two picks and a rating of 101.8 in the second half. In fact, Goff had the third best rating (107.1) in the NFL over the final seven weeks, trailing only Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow.
"It was always about understanding what we're trying to do and just playing fast and playing decisive," Goff said at the end of the season. "Once I was able to get there with some of the new stuff we implemented with Ben and Dan, I thought we kind of took off from there offensively."
Goff foresaw this rise for Johnson last season, but maybe not this quickly. He said in December that Johnson, who joined the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach, "will absolutely one day be calling plays for somebody." Whether that happens as soon as next season remains to be seen; Campbell has hinted at retaining play-calling duties in 2022.
But Johnson's day as an offensive coordinator has arrived.
"In my eyes, he’s a stud," said Goff. "He does a lot of great things. Ever since I got here, he’s been a guy that I can lean on and rely on with any sort of questions. I think he’s a hell of a coach who’s only going to get better."