Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson returning to Detroit despite head-coaching interest

The Detroit Lions got good news Tuesday: Ben Johnson is returning as offensive coordinator for a third season.

Johnson, 37, was a favorite to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders, and was also a candidate for the Seattle Seahawks job, but he decided to back out for a second consecutive coaching cycle.

It's the best news the Lions have received since their season ended Sunday in a heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game.

Johnson, who interviewed with five teams total in the search, was reportedly meeting with the Commanders in Detroit on Tuesday. Washington was also in town to meet with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

"His asking price spooked some teams, per sources," ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted shortly after news of Johnson's return broke first from NFL Network.

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Johnson became the overwhelming favorite for the job in Washington days before the Lions' final game, with both national reporters and sportsbooks projecting heavy confidence he would be the next coach.

Johnson, a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year for the second year in a row, has been one of the hottest names in the last two coaching cycles and chose to jump on this opportunity after he decided to stay in Detroit after multiple interviews last offseason. His decision paid off as the Lions had one of the best seasons in franchise history, in large part because of the offense.

He took over the coordinator role before the 2022 season after he joined the Lions in 2019 under former head coach Matt Patricia as an offensive quality control coach. He previously spent 2012-18 as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Dan Campbell retained him on the Lions' staff as the tight ends coach in 2020-21, and Johnson was promoted to passing game coordinator halfway through the season after offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn was demoted and Campbell took over play-calling.

Johnson was promoted to offensive coordinator the next offseason, where he began transforming the Lions' offense into a well-oiled and deadly efficient machine and helped unlock Jared Goff as the presumed franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Lions offensive stats under Ben Johnson

2023

• Third in total offense (394.8 yards per game)
• Fifth in scoring (27.1 points per game)
• Second in passing (258.9 passing yards per game)
• Fifth in rushing (135.9 rushing yards per game)
• Fifth in offensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average)
• Scored 30 points or more in 12 games, including twice in the playoffs

2022

• Fourth in total offense (380 yards per game)
• Fifth in scoring (26.6 points per game)
• Eighth in passing (251.8 passing yards per game)
• 13th in rushing (126.1 rushing yards per game)
• Seventh in offensive DVOA
• Scored 30 points or more in eight games