The Quarterback Equation: Ben Johnson's Calculated Approach to Coaching Aspirations
Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is making waves throughout the National Football League as a potential head coaching candidate. However, unlike many, Johnson is approaching these opportunities with caution and selectivity. His current role with the Lions, which sees him reportedly earning around $5 million, situates him within the upper echelons of assistant coaching in the NFL, providing him a unique vantage point from which to evaluate future possibilities.
Emergence as a Coveted Coaching Prospect
Johnson's growing reputation is bolstered by the Lions' impressive 15-2 record, clinching the No. 1 seed. Under his strategic guidance, Lions quarterback Jared Goff posted an impressive 72.4% completion rate, with the team ranking second in yards per pass attempt and passing yards, and third in passing touchdowns. The ground game also marches as one of the league's top ten rushing attacks across several vital metrics, demonstrating a balanced offensive stature that attracts attention.
This visible success has naturally led to Johnson being considered for head coaching positions across the league. Nonetheless, as recent reports highlight, "Ben Johnson has been clear he won't interview with every team looking to fill the role." His circumspection appears to be as much about finding the right fit as it is about preserving the nascent momentum he’s built with the Lions.
Critical Evaluation of Opportunities
In particular, an insider notes, "He would be more interested if the Jets' quarterback situation was more solid." The New York Jets, having finished with a disappointing 5-12 record, are one of several teams—including the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots—looking for new leadership after mid-season dismissals. The Jets relieved head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas from their duties, turning to Jeff Ulbrich as an interim solution. Despite having the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which offers a glimmer of hope, the quarterback question remains a critical focal point for candidates like Johnson.
Aaron Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator, is among those being considered for the Jets' vacancy, yet no formal approach has been made towards Johnson. His keen awareness of how a solid quarterback situation can impact a head coaching tenure places him in the seat of discernment—a trait not always common amongst coaching hopefuls.
Landscape of Available Positions
Each of the teams currently hunting for new head coaches offers different challenges and opportunities. The Bears, for instance, parted ways with Matt Eberflus post-Thanksgiving, while the Jaguars and Patriots have moved on from Doug Pederson and Jerod Mayo, respectively. These changes reflect shifting priorities and expectations among franchises seeking to recalibrate their trajectories.
For Johnson, stepping into a head coaching role would mean weighing the current assets and liabilities of a team's roster, the stability of its management, and, notably, the joys and pitfalls of starting anew. His methodical approach provides a framework that other candidates may wish to emulate, as it aligns closely with the kinds of decisions he likely makes on the field while scheming each play: strategic, data-driven, and rational.
Implications for the Future
The coming months will determine whether Johnson’s calculated patience pays off. As more teams evaluate their future and interview prospective candidates, he remains in a powerful negotiating position—an influencer in the coaching market, due in large part to his demonstrable contributions to the Lions’ resurgence and the cautious demeanor he exudes.
In the hyper-competitive environment of NFL leadership roles, Johnson's saga is one of deliberate curiosity. Perhaps more than any recent coaching figure, he encapsulates the idea that, sometimes, waiting for the right play may matter just as much off the field as it does on it.