Lions OC Ben Johnson is staying, turning down a possible chance to be NFL head coach, an AP source says.

Detroit According to a person familiar with the matter, Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, has made the decision to remain with the organization and declined offers to become an NFL head coach for the upcoming season.

The individual spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of staying anonymous, as Johnson’s intentions were not disclosed.

Johnson was a candidate to coach the Seattle Seahawks and Washington, where he was seen as the front-runner.

The 37-year-old Johnson spent the three seasons prior in different coaching capacities before being elevated to offensive coordinator on Dan Campbell’s staff in 2022.

Johnson assisted the Lions in reaching the NFC championship game for the second time in the team’s history and for the first time in thirty-two years. The Lions won two playoff games in the same postseason for the first time since winning the 1957 NFL title.

The commanders interviewed him prior to the Lions’ 34-31 loss to San Francisco, which eliminated them from the playoffs. He was regarded as their top contender.

Johnson, referred to by Campbell as “a rock star,” spent three years as an assistant at Boston College before making his NFL debut with Miami in 2012. After rising through the ranks to become receivers coach with the Dolphins in 2018, he was hired by Detroit and had a significant impact on QB Jared Goff’s development.

Johnson had an interview with the Houston Texans last season prior to DeMeco Ryan being hired.