In the last two offseasons, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been one of the hottest potential head coaching candidates around the NFL. He’s interviewed for positions with multiple teams, but ultimately has returned to Detroit for a variety of reasons.
That might not be the case in 2025.
In his weekly press conference, Johnson indicated that he’s more interested and more prepared to become a head coach after the 2024 season ends.
“Yeah, I’d say I’m much more prepared than I was the last two years,” Johnson acknowledged when asked what he’s learned in the head coach interviewing process.
Johnson thanked the local media for not pressing the issue with him during the team’s 12-2 start. And he’s clearly focused on taking this Detroit team as far as it can go this year. The idea of becoming a head coach elsewhere seems more likely than in the past, based on Johnson’s elaborative comments.
“Now that I’ve been through the wringer a couple times, had some interviews, I certain do feel more prepared, just from a big-picture standpoint,” Johnson said. “But right now, we’ve got three games left in the regular season, going into the postseason, and, honestly, this is why I’m here. This is why I wanted to be here.”
It’s the next quip that will fire up the speculation about Johnson’s future.
“I think there’s a burning desire in every man to find what he’s made out of, push the limits, and see if he’s got what it takes,” Johnson continued. “So, yeah, there’s a fire there. When that time is, I don’t know when that would be, but there’s certainly a fire there.”
Media in Chicago, New Orleans and New York have already openly longed for Johnson to become the next head man for the Bears, Saints and Jets, respectively. Johnson’s candid comments will only add fuel to that fire heading into January.
