Tag: Ben Johnson

Was Ben Johnson’s asking price too much for the Commanders and other teams?

Was Ben Johnson’s asking price too much?

Ben Johnson shocked the NFL world on Tuesday when he removed his name from consideration to be the next head coach of the Washington Commanders or Seattle Seahawks.

Since Washington fired Ron Rivera three weeks ago, betting sites and many in the national media predicted Johnson to the Commanders. Some called it a lock that Johnson was coming to Washington, while others called it a “foregone conclusion.”

Johnson said he wanted to remain in Detroit as the offensive coordinator for another season, citing a desire to win the Super Bowl. Johnson and the Lions lost to the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in the NFC Championship on Sunday.

This would be the second consecutive offseason where Johnson chose to remain an offensive coordinator rather than take a head coaching job.

Why?

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, his asking price may have been too high for a first-time head coach.

It was Schefter who, on Monday, threw some cold water on Johnson to Washington with the following statement.

“I’m not convinced yet that Ben Johnson is getting the Commanders’ job,” Schefter said. “I know people have said that he is the presumptive favorite, and he may get the job; he very well may; he is in contention, but that is not a slam dunk at all right now. They are definitely looking at other people, as well. And again, they may come back to Ben Johnson, but I think that they are pretty impressed with (Ravens DC) Mike Macdonald,  (Lions DC) Aaron Glenn and (Ravens AHC/DL coach) Anthony Weaver, as well. I think those guys are going to have a legitimate chance to get that job.”

Schefter also debunked the notion that Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was a lock for the Seattle Seahawks head coaching position.

It’s rare you hear of a first-time head coach having a high asking price. It almost never happens. However, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported in December that some teams were made aware that Johnson was seeking $15 million per season.

Johnson’s agent quickly responded, calling Anderson’s report “irresponsible.” However, as it turns out, Anderson’s tweet lines up with Schefter’s reporting from Tuesday.

After Schefter’s tweet on Tuesday referencing how some owners were spooked by Johnson’s asking price, he followed up with a report, presumably from Johnson’s camp, insisting it wasn’t about money.

When they say it’s not about money, it’s always about money.

Is that why Johnson isn’t Washington’s head coach? Who knows.

 

Twitter reacts to Ben Johnson turning down the Commanders

Social media reacts to Ben Johnson saying no to the Commanders.

Tuesday was a wild day in the search for a new Washington Commanders’ head coach. The day began in Ashburn with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in town for his second interview.

After Quinn departed his interview, Washington brass hopped on a flight for Detroit to interview Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

While in flight, Johnson called the Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks to inform them he was withdrawing his name from consideration. Johnson, long perceived to be the top candidate, was returning for another year in Detroit.

Washington still made the trip to interview Glenn.

Not only had most media sources believed Johnson was landing the Washington job, but fans were already convinced he was coming to the Commanders. Fans enjoyed watching Detroit’s offense in the NFC Championship game Sunday night.

So, when the news broke that Johnson was remaining in Detroit, some fans didn’t take it too well.

We go to Twitter for some of those reactions.

Former 2-time Panthers HC candidate Ben Johnson staying with Lions (again)

Once again, Lions OC Ben Johnson has decided to remain Lions OC Ben Johnson.

We already knew the Carolina Panthers weren’t landing Ben Johnson again last week, when they officially announced the hiring of new head coach Dave Canales. Well, now we know that nobody is going to land him.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero on Tuesday afternoon, the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator has decided he wants to remain the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. This is now the second consecutive offseason in which Johnson, a presumptive favorite for a number of head-coaching gigs, has turned away outside interest.

One of those head-coaching jobs he had been favored for was based in his old stomping grounds. The Charleston, S.C. native and University of North Carolina product was reportedly the apple of Panthers owner David Tepper’s eye since last year.

But, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson’s asking price “spooked some teams.” CBS Sports senior NFL insider Josina Anderson reported back in December that the 42-year-old was seeking “at least or around” $15 million per year.

Johnson, following Detroit’s Conference Championship Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers, remained a head-coaching candidate for the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks.

[lawrence-related id=687427,689920,690150]

Tracking the social media reaction to Ben Johnson staying with the Lions

Tracking the social media reaction to Ben Johnson staying with the Lions

Two days after a crushing loss in the NFC Championship game, the Detroit Lions nation needed some positive news. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnskn delivered.

Tuesday’s news that Johnson is sticking in Detroit as the offensive coordinator under Dan Campbell was a welcomed shot in the arm.

Here’s a sampling of some of the Lions reactions to Ben Johnson choosing to remain in Detroit and not pursue head coaching opportunities elsewhere.

Ben Johnson tells Seahawks, Commanders he’s staying with Lions

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has informed both the Seahawks and the Commanders that he’s staying in Detroit.

And now at the 11th hour a mean, hard-breaking curveball has been thrown into the mix of the Seahawks’ search for their next head caoch.

According to a report by Tom Pelissero at NFL network, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has informed both the Seahawks and the Commanders that he’s staying in Detroit.

Johnson did the same thing last year, bowing out of the head coach race in order to stick with the Lions as OC. Nevertheless, this time around it comes as a shock as Johnson was the hottest head coach candidate still on the market. The most-recent reporting suggested that the Commanders were going all out to get him, but the Seahawks were still in the running.

Speaking of Seattle, today the team is interviewing Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, whose chances of landing the head coach job just went up.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking all 32 NFL teams by cap space going into 2024

Ben Johnson informs Commanders, Seahawks he will remain with Lions

Ben Johnson had been considered the favorite for the Commanders.

Ben Johnson will not be the next head coach of the Washington Commanders.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Johnson informed the Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks he will remain in Detroit for at least another year.

Johnson to Washington had been called a lock by some, a foregone conclusion by others. Essentially everyone in the NFL media world believed Johnson would end up in Washington — except Adam Schefter.

Schefter said the following Monday on an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“I’m not convinced yet that Ben Johnson is getting the Commanders’ job,” Schefter said. “I know people have said that he is the presumptive favorite, and he may get the job; he very well may; he is in contention, but that is not a slam dunk at all right now. They are definitely looking at other people, as well. And again, they may come back to Ben Johnson, but I think that they are pretty impressed with (Ravens DC) Mike Macdonald,  (Lions DC) Aaron Glenn and (Ravens AHC/DL coach) Anthony Weaver, as well. I think those guys are going to have a legitimate chance to get that job.”

The lesson here: Always trust Schefter.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn interviewed with the Commanders on Tuesday morning in Ashburn. On Monday, Washington interviewed Ravens associate head coach/DL coach Anthony Weaver and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

 

Ravens chances of keeping DC Mike Macdonald dwindle after Ben Johnson stays with Lions

Ravens DC Mike Macdonald is now the top coaching candidate for Commanders and Sehawks after Ben Johnson stays with the Detroit Lions

Two head coaching vacancies remain (Commanders-Seahawks) ahead of this week’s NFL Pro Bowl, and Mike Macdonald could be the top choice for both teams after Ben Johnson’s announcement.

The Lions offensive coordinator has removed his name from interest for the two remaining jobs, choosing to run it back with the Detroit Lions after reaching the NFC title game.

With Johnson bowing out, Baltimore will likely lose their offensive coordinator unless something outrageous occurs.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn could be the answer for Seattle or Washington.

In contrast, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is another rising name and could be a candidate for both jobs as well.

Ben Johnson is staying in Detroit

Lions offensive coordiantor Ben Johnson is staying in Detroit

Ben Johnson will be the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in 2024.  Despite heavy interest from multiple teams in making him a head coach, Johnson has chosen to return to the Lions as the offensive coordinator.

Johnson informed the Washington Commanders that he is not interested in leaving Detroit. He was scheduled to interview with the Commanders for a second time on Tuesday.

Seahawks HC candidate described as a ‘defensive Sean McVay’

One coach described him as sort of a defensive Sean McVay type

The Seahawks’ head coach search appears to be winding down. Yesterday the team interviewed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and today it will be Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s turn. As far as we know, the team doesn’t have any more interviews scheduled so odds are Pete Carroll’s replacement will be named any day now.

For what it’s worth the rumor mill suggests that Johnson will be joining the Commanders as their new head coach and Macdonald will take the Seahawks job. Let’s hear more about the late-arriving favorite. According to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, one coach described him as sort of a defensive Sean McVay type. Watch.

There’s a case to make that in the long run hiring an offensive minded head coach is the right call. However, for the time being a defensive schematic mastermind is exactly the kind of thing this team needs in order to get back into the playoffs. We’re convinced that with a coaching upgrade on that side of the ball this team could have won up to 11 games this season.

Macdonald’s chops were on full display in the AFC Championship on Sunday. Even though his team lost, Baltimore held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to just 17 points and shut them out in the second half.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking all 32 NFL teams by cap space going into 2024

12 famous celebrities who are fans of the Seahawks

Jahan Dotson excited about Commanders’ changes and the future

Jahan Dotson excited for what’s ahead.

Washington wide receiver Jahan Dotson was a popular choice for a breakout player in 2023. Anytime someone discussed potential breakout players across the NFL, Dotson’s name always came up when you mentioned the Commanders.

Dotson was excited about new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s offense.

Unfortunately, despite playing in all 17 games, Dotson’s breakout season didn’t happen. The second-year wide receiver had just 49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns, and he was held without a catch in three games.

Looking back at Washington’s 2023 season, there were some bright spots in the first half of the season. Quarterback Sam Howell played well through the first 10 weeks before falling apart in the second half of the season. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. was terrific, but the Commanders wide receivers had a down year.

While Terry McLaurin went over 1,000 yards, it wasn’t easy.

When players were cleaning out their lockers earlier this month, several veterans didn’t hide their frustration with Bieniemy’s offense. Washington led the NFL in passing attempts but finished last in rushing attempts.

Dotson was one of those frustrated players.

Last week, JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan and NBC 4 caught up with Dotson to discuss Washington’s changes. The Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera three weeks ago and hired former 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as the new general manager. Washington is expected to hire a new head coach this week.

Dotson told Finlay he trusts owner Josh Harris’s vision for the future and called him a “great dude.”

Finlay asked Dotson what he thought of the Detroit Lions offense. Detroit’s offense is led by Ben Johnson, who many believe will be Washington’s next head coach.

“Electric,” Dotson answered. “They seem unsolvable right now………they do a lot of things very well. A very balanced offense, they can the ball, they have a lot of playmakers over there who do a lot of great things.”

Finlay also asked Dotson about the Texans offense, which Bobby Slowik coordinates. He, too, is a contender for Washington’s head coaching job. Dotson praised Houston’s offense, too.

If Johnson becomes Washington’s coach, there will be plenty of opportunities for Dotson, McLaurin, Robinson and others. Lions wideout Amon-Ra St-Brown had 1,514 receiving yards in 2023, and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta finished with 889 receiving. Both players had 10 touchdown receptions, and quarterback Jared Goff passed for over 4,500 yards. Detroit’s top two running backs combined for 1,960 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.

The 2024 season will be critical for Dotson, and he’s excited about the future.