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.
Ben Johnson was not the head-coaching lock that people thought and his asking price spooked some teams, per sources. https://t.co/cFl2FPBtcY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 30, 2024
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.
I'm told personnel around the league are discussing their awareness that some Owners have been told #Lions OC Ben Johnson's asking price is at least or around $15M/year for a head coach job, per source. pic.twitter.com/uhX3eqsNQR
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 21, 2023
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.
Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has two years remaining on his contract with Detroit. His deal was not adjusted to stay, per league source, proving that money is not Johnson’s biggest motivation. The Lions still could opt to adjust the contract down the line, but it’s…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 30, 2024
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.