Dan Campbell Discusses the Possibility of Ben Johnson Leaving

 

 

 

Getty Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, could leave for a head coaching position, according to head coach Dan Campbell.

Every offseason, NFL teams deal with player departures. But offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be the biggest loss the Detroit Lions suffer from their 2023 roster rather than a player.

Since November, Johnson has emerged as one of the top prospects to coach in the NFL. On January 29, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that Johnson will interview with both the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders, despite the fact that there are now only two head coach positions available.

Speaking to the media the day after the team’s 34-31 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell discussed the risk of losing Johnson.

According to MLive.com’s Kory E. Woods, Campbell told reporters, “He’s a vital component for us.”

The Lions head coach did, however, add that he isn’t worried about Johnson’s replacement just yet.

Campbell remarked, “I’m not worried about it just yet.” “I must sleep for at least two hours.

“I’m not going to rush [to take Johnson’s place].”

For the last two seasons, Johnson has been Detroit’s offensive coordinator. Both seasons, the Lions placed in the top 5 in terms of yards and points scored thanks to his play calling.

The last time the Lions finished in the top 5 in yards and points scored in consecutive years was 1953–54, which occurred before 2022–23.

Early NFL rumors suggested that Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn might leave the Lions this summer to take head coaching positions.

Bryan Manning of Commanders Wire, USA Today, said on January 28 that Glenn will be interviewed by Washington on the same day as their meeting with Johnson. However, Detroit has the advantage in numbers, thus the club won’t lose both coordinators.

It sounds like the only scenario left is for Johnson to land in Seattle and Glenn to depart for Washington.

On the afternoon of January 26, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington stated on SportsCenter that “Ben Johnson will wind up being the coach of the Commanders,” adding that “it is a pretty obvious conclusion in Washington.”

That would probably mean Glenn wouldn’t leave either, which would be unfortunate.

On January 29, nevertheless, Adam Schefter of ESPN refuted his colleague.

“I’m still not sure that Ben Johnson will become the commander.” Schefter stated, “I am aware that he is the presumed favorite,” on The Pat McAfee Show on January 29 (via Horrible Announcing). “He may be hired. He may very well do so. He is a contestant.

“However, it’s far from a given at this point, and they’re undoubtedly considering other options as well.”

The other probable contenders for the Washington position, according to Schefter, were Glenn, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald of the Baltimore Ravens, assistant head coach Anthony Weaver of the Ravens, and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver.

As if Detroit’s coaching staff didn’t already have enough moving pieces after losing one or two coordinators.

On January 29, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers revealed that they had interviewed Antwaan Randle El, the wide receivers coach with the Lions, for the position of offensive coordinator.

As a member of Bruce Arians’ coaching staff, Randle El won the Super Bowl in February 2021 after starting his NFL coaching career with the Buccaneers in 2019.

Randle El has been the wide receivers coach for Detroit for the last three seasons. Amon-Ra St. Brown, a previous fourth-round selection, has grown into an All-Pro under his direction. Moreover, he assisted in the development of Jameson Williams in 2023, following a difficult offseason for the previous first-round choice.

Randle El would probably be a contender to take Johnson’s spot if he left Detroit. Thus, it would undoubtedly be very painful for the Lions to lose both their offensive coordinator and receiving coach in quick succession.

Even though the season is over, the Lions’ upcoming week could be exciting. There are probably three important positions on their staff that need to be filled.

It’s also conceivable that none of those exits take place.