Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson continues to be one of the most sought-after coaching candidates in the NFL for the third consecutive year. However, it appears he could remain in his current role with the Lions once again, despite the growing interest in his services.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there is no certainty that Johnson will take a head coaching position this year. He has consistently shown hesitancy to leave Detroit, and some league sources believe he could return to the Lions for another season.
Fowler stated, “Some people I talked to in the league believe Johnson could return to Detroit. And it doesn’t seem like a leverage play. That’s where he has been the past two cycles, and that could be the case again if his ideal head coaching destination isn’t there.”
Adding to the speculation, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday that Johnson has scheduled virtual interviews with multiple teams: the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots on Friday, and the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. While each of these teams offers a unique opportunity, Johnson has never been eager to make the leap from offensive coordinator to head coach without the right fit.
The 38-year-old coach addressed this decision-making process back in May, telling Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, “I’m not going to do it just to do it. I love what I’m doing right now. Love it. Love it. I love where I’m at. My family loves where we’re at. Love the people that we’re doing it with, and so I’m not willing to go down the other path yet unless I feel really good about how it’s going to unfold.”
If Johnson ultimately decides to stay in Detroit for another year, many fans will likely be disappointed by the missed opportunity to land one of the most innovative offensive minds in football today.
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Report: Lions DC Aaron Glenn Set to Interview with Four Teams
In a week where the Detroit Lions are on a bye, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is anything but idle. While he had some downtime enjoying the Pistons game on Monday night, his schedule quickly fills up as he prepares for a series of head coaching interviews. According to NFL Network, Glenn is set to meet with four teams this week, with virtual interviews scheduled from Thursday to Saturday.
Although the exact sequence of the interviews remains unclear, Ian Rapoport reports that Glenn will speak with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars. As per NFL rules, these interviews must take place virtually at this point in the offseason.
UPDATE: Josina Anderson has since confirmed that Glenn’s interview with the Saints will take place on Friday.
Glenn has deep ties to the Jets and Saints organizations. Drafted by the Jets, he spent his first eight NFL seasons in New York before transitioning into a scouting role. As a coach, his most significant experience comes with the Saints, where he spent five years coaching defensive backs. His work there helped elevate him to his current position with the Lions. In 2022, Glenn interviewed for the Saints’ head coach role but ultimately lost out to Dennis Allen, who was their defensive coordinator at the time. Additionally, Glenn played his final NFL season with the Saints in 2008.
Meanwhile, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is also generating significant interest as a potential head coach. Reports indicate that the Bears, Patriots, and Jaguars have all requested interviews with Johnson. However, Albert Breer speculates that Johnson may only opt to interview with the Bears and Patriots.
