Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson during warm-ups. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches warmups before the game vs. the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022.
NFLBy Matt Clapp on

After starting the 2022 NFL season with a record of 2-6, the Detroit Lions finished with an 9-8 record that was capped off by a Sunday Night Football road victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 18, keeping Green Bay out of the playoffs (Detroit would’ve made the playoffs if not for a Seattle Seahawks win earlier that day).

While head coach Dan Campbell gets a ton of credit — and for good reason — for the Lions’ stunning in-season turnaround, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was also a huge part of the success. It’s led to Johnson being one of the hottest coaching candidates in the current cycle, and he’s been linked to several openings.

However, Johnson has told the Lions that he will stay with the team for the 2023 season, as reported on Tuesday by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

“Lions OC Ben Johnson informed interested teams he’s staying in Detroit, per sources,” Pelissero tweeted.

Pelissero added, “Johnson was slated to travel Wednesday to interview with the Panthers. But he feels Detroit is building something special and wants to see it through. Should be a hot HC name again next year.”

Johnson, 36, interviewed for the Houston Texans‘ and Indianapolis Colts‘ head coaching positions. His decision to not interview with the Carolina Panthers is the particularly eye-opening part of Tuesday’s news. CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones even reported on Sunday that Johnson had “the lead” for the Panthers’ job.

 

Additionally, Panthers beat writer Joseph Person of The Athletic wrote on Sunday that Panthers owner David Tepper “is enamored with Johnson.”

The buzz in league circles is that Tepper is enamored with Johnson, whose innovative schemes helped the Lions finish fifth in the NFL in scoring offense and total offense in his first season as offensive coordinator. Johnson’s a sharp guy — with degrees from UNC in math and computer science — so you’d have to think he’s going to nail his interview this week.

Jones tweeted on Tuesday that Carolina “was very excited to meet” with Johnson, and notes that Johnson is “the third candidate to pull out of [Carolina’s] HC search.”

https://twitter.com/jjones9/status/1615509260099784704

So, either the Carolina job wasn’t very appealing to Johnson, or he must think they’re going in another direction. On the surface, it’s still bizarre that he wouldn’t at least do the interview.

Whatever the case, it’s significant news for the Lions. Johnson did a tremendous job in his first season as offensive coordinator, leading Detroit to a much better offense than most evaluators expected. This may also increase the chances that the Lions stick with Jared Goff as starting quarterback for at least one more season after Goff — 29 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, 4,438 yards, and a 99.3 passer rating — had a lot of success in Johnson’s offense in 2022.

NFL fans are surprised that the Lions were able to get Johnson to return, and think it could lead to big things for Detroit in 2023.

ESPN’s Mina Kimes tweeted, “1. This is HUUGE 2. I wonder if it means they’re gonna stick with Goff next season—at least as a bridge QB.”

“The Lions are going to win the North in 2023,” tweeted Brett Kollmann of “The Film Room” YouTube channel.

Josh Norris of Underdog Fantasy tweeted (with a video breakdown of Johnson’s offense), “MASSIVE news for the Lions. Ben Johnson is so, so impressive. Connects his playcalls so well.”

Johnson will try to help the Lions win their first division title since 1993.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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