5 candidates to replace Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson if he gets a head coaching job

2. Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson

Robinson is in his fourth season on the Rams’ coaching staff, going from assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019, to assistant wide receivers coach (2020) back to assistant quarterbacks coach (2021) to passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach this year.

Robinson played quarterback collegiately at Oklahoma State, and he was a seventh-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent time with four teams, including the Lions, before starting to get into coaching and even spending time working for Pro Football Focus as a quarterback evaluator.

In 2019, Robinson worked closely with then-Rams and current Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Robinson’s Rams’ bio notes it.

"In 2019, Robinson was influential in the continued growth of QB Jared Goff, who became the first quarterback in franchise history to post consecutive seasons with over 4,000 passing yards. Goff also threw 20-plus touchdowns for the third-consecutive season and became just the seventh quarterback in franchise history to tally over 80 passing touchdowns as a Ram."

Sean McVay’s coaching staff gets plucked by other teams regularly. Robinson is a possible candidate to replace Rams’ offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who is apparently headed back to the University of Kentucky after the season.

But the Lions would be a potential outside offensive coordinator opportunity for Robinson, of course if Johnson leaves for a head coaching job. Maybe a past relationship with Goff would give him interest in going to Detroit if there is that opportunity.