The phone is ringing for Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Texans are the first team to submit a request to interview Johnson for their head coaching vacancy, the NFL Network reported Monday, and surely won't be the last. The 36-year-old is one of the hottest names on the market after Detroit's offense lit up the scoreboard this season.
"I just want to say that Ben Johnson is really not that good," offensive tackle Penei Sewell joked Monday. "I feel like our players make him better, so I’m not really worried about (him leaving). I’m just going to put that out there, y’all don’t want Ben Johnson."
The Lions have been one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL since Johnson took over the team's passing game midway through last season. This season, Johnson's first as coordinator and play-caller, they finished fifth in points and fourth in yards. Their biggest success was revitalizing two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jared Goff, Johnson's primary goal entering the season.
"The type of plays he implemented and the type of philosophies that were going into it, it matched up to the type of dudes that we had in this building," said Sewell. "Everybody was really comfortable with the game plan and it always worked to the best of their abilities. For instance, me getting out in space, (Jameson Williams) getting deep balls, Jamaal (Williams) running that ball downhill, (D'Andre) Swift getting on the perimeter, things like that."
Goff, who threw 15 touchdowns and no picks over his final nine games and finished seventh in the NFL in passer rating (99.3) said Johnson "has been as instrumental to me as any coach has."
"Very thankful for him and obviously always want the best for him and for him to get all the opportunities that he deserves, but selfishly would love to be able to continue to play for him," said Goff.
Johnson refused to talk about potential head coaching opportunities when the topic came up over the last month of the season. There's no hiding from it now. The Cardinals, Panthers, Colts and Broncos will also be conducting head coaching searches this offseason and could come calling for Johnson as well.
"He would be worthy of that," Dan Campbell said Monday. "I think a ton of Ben. I’ve said it before, I just think he’s extremely bright. He’s creative, he’s organized, he’s a great communicator. I mean, he’s got it, and I would do anything I can to help him. That’s the bottom line. Of course I don’t want to lose him, but I’m not going to hold him back either. I would help him any way I can help him.”
Hired by the Lions as an offensive quality control coach under Matt Patrica in 2019, Johnson stayed on staff as tight ends coach when Campbell arrived in 2021. All he's done since is help the team put up points. Now, he might be nearing the end of his road in Detroit.
"I love Ben," said receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. "One of my favorite coaches I’ve ever been around, so I hope he’s here for as long as I’m here. I hope he doesn’t leave us. I would definitely be hurt if he left. For me, and if you ask a lot of the guys on this offense, he’s one of the best."
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