As expected, once he can do so, the head coaching interview docket for Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is filling up quickly. The Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers submitted interview requests for Johnson before Monday was over.
Johnson could turn down any and all interview requests, but it's unlikely. He will entertain his head coaching options to whatever degree he wishes to, but the number of interviews he takes won't be zero.
There was some speculation about Mike Vrabel's future as the Tennessee Titans' head coach. On Tuesday, Vrabel was fired. Vrabel now becomes a top candidate for other head coaching jobs, as the Titans go in a new direction.
Right off the bat, Buck Reising of AtoZ Sports and 104.5 The Zone in Nashville pointed to Johnson as a candidate for the Titans' head coaching job.
I expect the Titans to have significant interest in Lions OC Ben Johnson to fill their head coaching vacancy
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) January 9, 2024
But as with any head coaching opening, would the job in Tennessee job sufficiently appeal to Johnson for him to consider leaving the Lions for it?
Would the Tennessee Titans' head coaching job appeal to Ben Johnson?
In their decision to fire Vrabel, Titans' ownership has fully committed to the vision general manager Ran Carthon has. The alignment between Carthon and Vrabel was subject to speculation, and ownership has made their choice.
Going 6-11 this season landed the Titans' the seventh overall pick in April's draft. They'll have another pick in the top-40 (38th overall), then they are currently without a pick until the fourth round (No. 107 overall).
The Titans have a young quarterback in Will Levis, which may appeal to Johnson off the bat. Running back Tyjae Spears, wide receiver Treylon Burks and tight end Chig Okonkwo are a solid place to start in terms of young skill position pieces around Levis. With the right coach/play caller and a bolstered offensive line, the ceiling for Tennessee's offense feels high right now.
Exactly how much 2024 cap space the Titans have right now is dependent on the source, and that source's cap projection.
But any way you slice it, either a projected $79 million (second-most in the league, according to Spotrac) or a projected $71.055 million (fourth-most in the league, according to Over The Cap), they are in a good spot to make significant moves in free agency.
If we added Tennessee to the aforementioned trio of head coaching jobs Johnson is wanted to interview for right now and ranked them, at least one (Chargers) if not two (Commanders) would be ahead of the Titans on the list. But another team can immediately be added to the list of those who are lined up to want to interview Johnson, however surprising it might be that the Titans are it.