The Detroit Lions have had one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL over the last few seasons. A lot of credit for how good they have been on that side of the ball has gone to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
The 37-year-old Johnson began his coaching career in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins at 26 years old. He was an offensive assistant before becoming an assistant coach for quarterbacks, tight ends and wide receivers. In 2018, he became the wide receivers coach before departing for the Lions.
In his first season in Detroit, Johnson was the offensive quality control coach under Matt Patricia. He would become the tight ends coach in 2020 and remain in that role in 2021 despite a regime change with Dan Campbell as head coach and Brad Holmes as general manager.
NFL News & Rumors: Ben Johnson & Detroit Lions Updates
In 2022, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and became one of the hottest head coaching candidates in the NFL. While he remained in Detroit for the 2023 season, he is going to once again garner attention around the league for head coaching vacancies as one of the brightest young offensive minds in the league.
However, if you are a team that plans on pursuing Johnson, you are going to have to open up your checkbook. According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, rumors are swirling around the league that the Lions’ offensive coordinator is seeking $15 million per year to take a head coaching job elsewhere.
That is an astronomical asking price for a first-time head coach. There are only two people, Bill Belichick and Sean Payton, who are making more than $15 million annually as head coach. Pete Carroll and Sean McVay are both at the $15 million number and would put him ahead of Super Bowl-winning coaches such as Mike Tomlin, Andy Reid and John Harbaugh.
NFL News & Rumors: Ben Johnson & Detroit Lions Updates
If Johnson is going to have that high of an asking price to leave the Lions, what are coordinators such as Eric Bieniemy, Dan Quinn, Lou Anarumo, who have coached in or won Super Bowls, going to ask for?
That will be something to keep an eye on once the hiring process begins. There are already three teams with interim head coaches and reports have surfaced that Belichick will be moved on from by the New England Patriots and Ron Rivera will be fired by the Washington Commanders. Other jobs could open up as well, making this a potentially crazy and expensive coaching carousel in the 2024 offseason.
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