For the second straight offseason, Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, has notified NFL teams that he will not be seeking a head coaching position this year. Johnson has committed to staying on as the Lions’ play-caller for another season with more ambitious plans for the future.
Most NFL teams with head coaching openings in 2024 pursued Johnson, one of the top prospects for the position. Campbell was, however, preoccupied with the postseason because of Detroit’s playoff run to the NFC Championship Game.
In 2019, the 37-year-old became a member of the Lions coaching staff as an offensive quality control coach. In 2020, he was elevated to the position of tight ends coach. Dan Campbell retained Johnson on staff and elevated him to passing game coordinator as soon as he was hired by Detroit in 2021. Following the Lions’ poor start (0–8), Campbell gave Johnson the play-calling job as a reward for his efforts.
Since then, the Lions have had one of the best offenses in the NFL over the last two seasons. Johnson’s play-calling has helped Amon-Ra St. Brown become a perennial Pro Bowl selection and elevated the game of quarterback Jared Goff. Now, after being pursued for head-coaching vacancies for the second consecutive year, Detroit’s offensive coordinator is sticking around.
Johnson notified the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders that he is removing himself from contention for their open positions. He will continue to be the Lions’ play-caller in 2024, as first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Although Johnson had been the front-runner to succeed Ron Rivera as the Commanders’ head coach, Washington now has instant alternatives in Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, thanks to their recent successes.
Regarding Seattle, Quinn, Bobby Slowik of the Houston Texans, and Mike Macdonald of the Baltimore Ravens are still contenders for the Seahawks coaching position.
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