Two days after a gut-wrenching loss, Detroit scored a big win as offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has decided to remain with the Lions and pulled himself out of consideration for the Washington Commanders head coaching position, per multiple reports.
The coordinator of a top-five offense each of the past two seasons and one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in the NFL who interviewed with several teams over the last two weeks and who was scheduled for a second interview on Tuesday with Washington. But Johnson has informed the Lions he's staying right where he is.
After the Lions fell one win short of the Super Bowl in a 34-31 loss to the 49ers in the NFC title game, Johnson wants another shot at winning it all with Dan Campbell in Detroit. He returned for the same reason last season when he was the leading candidate for the Panthers head coaching vacancy, citing unfinished business (and a Garth Brooks concert at Ford Field).
For Washinton, the dream of a combo of Johnson working with new GM Adam Peters never got off the ground – the search committee was reportedly informed of Johnson's decision when they were en route to Detroit to conduct interviews.
They now turn their attention to other candidates including Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who completed an interview with Washington this week, Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who the team was scheduled to speak with during their trip already, and Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
Campbell elevated Johnson to offensive coordinator two seasons ago, and the 37-year-old has emerged as one of the brightest minds in the game. Most notably, Johnson has played a big role in helping Jared Goff reassert himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL after being ditched by Sean McVay and the Rams.
The Lions were one of only two teams this season, along with the 49ers, who had a top-five offense in both passing and rushing. They ranked third overall in yards and fifth in points. They had two running backs with 1,000 scrimmage yards in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs and a quarterback who threw for the second most yards and fourth most touchdowns in the NFL. To say nothing of all their receiving weapons, including first-team All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown.
With Johnson back in command, the Lions will look to run it back in 2024 -- and win two more games at the end.