3 Detroit Lions players who benefit most from shocking Ben Johnson decision
It certainly trended toward possible with only two head coaching jobs open, but it was still surprising. On Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson told the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders he's staying in Detroit for at least one more year.
Johnson had been the favorite for the Commanders' job, but the way they were operating their head coaching search said they knew it was not a lock no matter how much they wanted him. The appeal of the Seahawks' job for Johnson was harder to see, and he never really felt like a strong candidate for that job. But Seattle pursued him to the end, with an interview Monday before Johnson apparently stopped short of doing his in-person interview with Washington on Tuesday.
So as he did last season, Johnson will stay on as Lions' offensive coordinator and try to pursue a Lombardi Trophy next season while postponing taking a head coaching job- as he did a year ago. It's still happening at some point for him, since this time next year Johnson will still only be 38 years old and presumably a hot head coaching candidate again.
The Lions' broadly benefit from Johnson's decision to return next season, of course. But in particular, these three players stand to benefit most from that decision.