The Detroit Lions have plenty of young pieces in place to make another run toward a Super Bowl in 2024 — but prior to today — it seemed like Dan Campbell would need to find a new innovative offensive mind as current OC Ben Johnson was one of the hottest head coaching candidates this cycle.
While Johnson had been named as the front runner to take the Washington Commanders job and had just interviewed with the Seattle Seahawks, he shocked the NFL world on Sunday announcing he was staying in Detroit in his current role.
Johnson told both teams he wants another shot at winning a Super Bowl with the Lions, per the Washington Post.
Johnson’s asking price, according to ESPN, scared off some teams that were searching for a new head coach. Previously, CBS Sports HQ senior NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that some NFL owners were told Johnson’s asking price was at least or around $15 million a year — which would have automatically made him one of the highest-paid head coaches in the NFL. Johnson’s agent disputed this report.
Ben Johnson, 37, just wrapped up his second season as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. Detroit’s offensive attack finished top five in both points per game and yards per game in each of the last two seasons. In 2023, the Lions tied a franchise record with 12 wins and won the NFC North for the very first time. Detroit won two playoff games before their NFC Championship loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions had won just one playoff game in the previous 65 seasons combined.
Johnson has been with the Lions since 2019, working as an offensive quality control coach, tight ends coach and passing game coordinator before taking over as offensive coordinator in 2022. The North Carolina grad was a walk-on quarterback with the Tar Heels, and began his coaching career with Boston College as a grad assistant. Johnson also served as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins for seven seasons before his jump to Detroit.
Eminem Is Hype For Ben Johnson Staying With Detroit Lions In 2024
The Lions offense thrived in 2023 and has steadily improved since Johnson took over as OC.
Many believed QB Jared Goff couldn’t thrive as a starter in the NFL when Sean McVay included the former first overall pick in the NFL Draft in the trade to get Matthew Stafford, but Johnson has played a major role in getting the best out of Goff and catering the offense to his strengths.
Longtime rapper and Detroit Lions super fan Eminem has been vocal about the team’s meteoric rise this season. When Ben Johnson was getting linked to other organizations, Eminem threatened to put out a “diss track” aimed at the Lions OC.
But on Tuesday when the news broke he was staying in Detroit, the 8-mile star took to social media to express his excitement, while making it clear there won’t be a diss track coming.
Guess I should stop recording this diss track..!! Lol!! @ Ben Johnson Thank you for staying!!! We can't break this team up ESPECIALLY since I'M on it!!! Coach Campbell we love you bro!!! Let's run it back next year!!…I'm READY!!!! I promise you I WILL get us to the super…
— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) January 30, 2024
“Guess I should stop recording this diss track..!! Lol!! @ Ben Johnson Thank you for staying!!! We can’t break this team up ESPECIALLY since I’M on it!!! Coach Campbell we love you bro!!! Let’s run it back next year!!…I’m READY!!!! I promise you I WILL get us to the super bowl!!”
It’s clear everyone that follows the Lions is relieved their young, brilliant offensive mind is sticking around to try to chase a Lombardi Trophy in 2024.