3 potential head coaching openings Ben Johnson might leave the Lions for in 2025
Calling plays for the No. 1-scoring offense in the NFL right now is a pretty good gig, to say nothing of the team success the Detroit Lions are having. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has previously shown discretion when it comes to possibly leaving for a head coaching job, but he's going to be in-demand for interviews again after this season.
Within mention of the potential the Chicago Bears will have an opening after the season, ESPN's Adam Schefter hit multiple nails on the head regarding Johnson and head coaching jobs during Thursday's edition of "Get Up."
"Ben Johnson’s gonna be very, very selective about the place that he chooses to go, if he decides even to leave Detroit. He’s gonna be very careful," Schefter said. "I don’t know that he desires to leave that division to head, in the division, to go to a place that you’re talking about the dysfunction that has existed within that organization. We’ll see, that’s up to him. But I believe he’s gonna be very selective in how he chooses to do his business."
After host Mike Greenberg said he thought Schefter was going to say Johnson will be sought after for head coaching jobs, rather than saying he'll be "selective", Schefter confirmed that idea.
"He (Johnson) will be (sought after).", Schefter said. "But just because, let's just say, there's eight openings this year, and let's just say, eight teams have him in their wish list, doesn't mean he's going to be interviewing with eight teams. I think if Ben Johnson is interviewing with anybody, this year, he's interviewing with the intention that he's going to take that job."
Schefter didn't break any news there. We know Johnson will be selective with head coaching opportunities he entertains, and we assume he will be highly sought after for interviews again after this season.
It's becoming a legitimate question if Johnson will ever leave the Lions for a head coaching job. But on Schefter's premise of eight possible openings after the season, there stands to be at least one he'd give more than token consideration to, right? Right?
We can already cross a couple openings that already do or might exist off the list of options Johnson would strongly consider. Namely, the New York Jets, the New Orleans Saints and possibly the Bears (even if he apparently wanted that job last year). The Las Vegas Raiders probably make that list too, if they end up having an opening.
But let's take a closer look at a few potential head coaching jobs that might genuinely grab Johnson's interest in the 2025 hiring cycle.