5 dark horse candidates to replace Ben Johnson as Lions offensive coordinator

An internal candidate would easy to cite, but here are some dark horse outside candidates to replace Ben Johnson as Lions' offensive coordinator.

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2. Jeff Nixon

Current job: Syracuse offensive coordinator and running backs coach

Nixon just completed his first season in his current role at Syracuse. Most of his coaching experience over the last decade-plus is in the NFL, and mostly as a running backs coach, with a stint as offensive coordinator/running backs coach at Baylor (2017-2019) and serving as interim offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2021 when then-head coach Matt Rhule fired Joe Brady.

Nixon was the Miami Dolphins' running backs coach from 2011-2015, where he overlapped with Campbell (who was the tight ends coach, then the interim head coach to finish that last season). So there would theoretically be the philosophical alignment the Lions' head coach wants, and the familarity that would be fairly inherent with anyone who will be hired to replace Johnson.

1. Dan Orlovsky

Current job: ESPN NFL analyst

Orlovsky is a long-time lingering punchline for Lions' fans, due to running out of the back of the end zone for a safety when he played quarterback in Detroit during the winless 2008 campaign. His takes on ESPN surely rub some people the wrong way too.

But when it comes down to it, Orlovsky knows football and can break down film with the best analysts out there. During regular appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show", he has openly talked about getting into coaching and most recently he said two coaches have reached out to him: one who is looking to get a head coaching job and building a staff, and one who is currently a head coach and losing a coordinator.

That latter sentiment narrows the field of coaches who have talked to Orlovsky. He and Campbell were Lions' teammates for two seasons, so there is a tie there.

Orlovsky, for whatever it's worth, responded on social media to the idea of him as a bold pick to be the Lions' new offensive coordinator.

Even if it seems unlikely he'll do so with his hire to replace Johnson, with all the criteria he has laid out, Campbell is generally not afraid to think outside the box and Orlovsky would be about as outside the box as it can get for an offensive coordinator hire.

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