In the last two NFL head coaching hiring cycles, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has pulled himself from consideration for openings, presumably before the process was fully fleshed out. It's clear he is not in a rush to leave a good situation in Detroit, and it will have to be an ideal head coaching opportunity for him to take it.
Late last month, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer revealed buzz that Johnson wanted the Chicago Bears job after last season. But of course it never came open, as they retained Matt Eberflus.
Things have gone off the rails a little bit in Chicago in recent weeks, with a couple rough losses re-fueling the idea Eberflus is not long for his job. In a broad sense, with a young quarterback in Caleb Williams and some interesting pieces around him. the Bears' job might still appeal to Johnson when/if it actually opens up after this season.
NFL insider re-states the obvious about Ben Johnson and head coaching jobs
On Thursday's addition of "Get Up", ESPN's Adam Schefter talked about Johnson in the context of what is trending toward an upcoming job opening in Chicago.
On the future of Lions OC Ben Johnson… pic.twitter.com/z1Z5xcF4LZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2024
"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.”
Much like how the New York Jets' overall situation stands to turn Johnson off if they're interested in him for their head coaching job after the season, the Bears' dysfunction might put them in the same boat.
Host Mike Greenberg noted Schefter's use of the word "selective" rather than the phrase "sought after" when it comes to Johnson and head coaching jobs after the season. Schefter had the easy and expected reinforcement to his original point.
"He 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."
Nothing Schefter said about Johnson and upcoming head coaching openings is unknown sentiment. Johnson has made it clear he will be selective and intentional if/when he takes a head coaching job. If there's not a good fit after this season, again, he'll simply stay with the Lions. The question might then become if he ever really entertains taking a head coaching job.