With the Detroit Lions focusing on a potential Super Bowl run, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been busy at work. Not only is he scheming for Saturday’s playoff matchup against the Washington Commanders, but he’s also been interviewing with several teams for a head coaching position.
The 38-year-old play caller is deemed as the top HC candidate available. Despite that, he has yet to sign a contract with a new team. On Friday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hinted at the idea that Johnson is coming down to two options. Signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, or remaining in Detroit and assuming his OC role.
Reports indicate that Johnson made a big decision in the midst of interviewing for a head coaching position. The prolific offensive coordinator officially signed with Rick Smith of Priority Sports as his new agent, according to Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports.
Smith is a former executive for the Houston Texans and joined Priority Sports to serve as an agent for coaches and front office executives in both the NFL and NBA. It’s unclear at this time if Johnson signing with Smith means he’ll be accepting an HC job soon. But it’s notable considering he should be making that decision relatively soon.
Lions offensive coordinator and hot commodity head coaching candidate Ben Johnson has signed with agent Rick Smith of Priority Sports, the agency confirmed to @FOS. pic.twitter.com/YvY3MFCylh
— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) January 17, 2025
Johnson has interviewed with several teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots. The Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their new HC, but the other teams have yet to make a hiring decision.
The Dallas Cowboys are also rumored to be interested in interviewing the Lions’ OC. However, they must wait until Detroit is eliminated from the playoffs, whenever that may be.
Johnson first got into coaching back in 2009 serving as a graduate assistant for Boston College. He got his first NFL job in 2012 after accepting an offensive assistant role with the Miami Dolphins.
Since then, Johnson climbed the ranks in Miami for several years before being hired by the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach. He’s been all over Detroit’s offense, working with tight ends and as the passing game coordinator before accepting the OC job in 2022.
As the OC, Johnson has kept the Lions within the Top 3 in the league every year in total offense. His unique play calling and efficiency has made him one of the most sought after coaches in the NFL.
