Throughout Dan Campbell’s pensive postgame press convention following the Detroit Lions NFC Championship Recreation loss to the San Francisco 49ers, he acknowledged the chance that they may have blown their greatest probability at a Tremendous Bowl. A purpose for him acknowledging that less-than-deal chance is that offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was a sizzling head-coaching candidate. Him leaving can be a major mind drain from the workers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Johnson will remain with the Lions for the 2024 season as their offensive coordinator.
The prevailing thought was that Johnson was going to develop into the brand new head coach of the Washington Commanders. He had already interviewed with them throughout the postseason and so they have been scheduled to fulfill with him once more this week. Nonetheless, throughout a Monday look on The Pat McAfee Present, Schefter said, “I’m not convinced that Ben Johnson’s getting the Commanders job.” On Tuesday, NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reemphasized earlier factors that he had made about Johnson not being a lock to develop into Washington’s subsequent head coach.
There are at present solely two remaining NFL head teaching vacancies, the Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks. Each groups have potential, however there was no purpose for Johnson to depart an awesome scenario to be accountable for one.
Usually, when individuals have the chance to maneuver up of their careers, they bounce on it. Extra money, higher title, larger duty, the place is the draw back in any of that? In actual fact, considering that there could be one might be thought-about an absence of ambition, confidence, or each. An individual’s profession might completely stall by refusing a place with extra perceived status.
The NFL shouldn’t be like most industries. First-time head coach disasters have a tough time climbing again into that function. Then once more, shifting from coordinator to go coach is an enormous pay elevate and there are solely 32 of these jobs. Even when fired after two 4-13 seasons, head coach stays on a resume ceaselessly.
Whereas individuals are programmed to maneuver full velocity forward always with regards to profession development, there are occasions when it’s higher to stay in a strong place and await a perfect provide.
Johnson has been an impressive offensive coordinator for the Lions. Their offense has been buzzing just like the engine on a brand new Porsche since he grew to become coordinator in 2022. He has Jared Goff taking part in prefer it’s 2018. Additionally, the Lions working recreation averaged the fifth most yards per carry for the 2023 season.
The roster goes to look largely the identical on offense subsequent season. In line with Jason Fitzgerald at Over the Cap, the Lions are projected to have almost $50 million in cap area subsequent season. Goff, Amon Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell have solely a 12 months left on their offers, so extensions for them are seemingly within the works. Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta can be on the second 12 months of their rookie contracts, Jameson Williams can be on his third. David Montgomery is in the midst of a three-year deal that he signed final offseason. Additionally, Johnson acquired a elevate final season when he returned to the staff.
All the gamers are going to develop into much more snug in Johnson’s system in 2024. Because the NFC North improves, their continuity ought to be capable of preserve them on the high. A division title and a house playoff recreation are close to certainties for the Lions. The closest the Commanders and Seahawks will come to seeing these accomplishments is on a imaginative and prescient board subsequent season.
Johnson has an awesome factor stepping into Detroit. CBS Sports activities’ Josina Anderson reported in late December that some staff homeowners had been knowledgeable that his asking worth was within the neighborhood of 15 million per year. Schefter reported on Tuesday that wage calls for “spooked some teams,” and likewise that Johnson knowledgeable the Commanders of his resolution to remain put as they have been flying out to interview him and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Nonetheless Johnson reached the choice to stick with the Lions, he made the appropriate one. He’s in an awesome scenario. There isn’t a rush to take a greater function with much less proficient personnel. When life is rolling, typically it’s alright to place the profession on cruise management for a short time. By Johnson coming again, the Lions now have their greatest probability to win a championship. Tremendous Bowl champion offensive coordinator for the Lions could be the sweetener to Johnson’s resume that will get him no matter he desires in 2025.
