Heading into the 2022 season, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell took his sweet time to officially reveal who would be the team’s offensive play-caller. Campbell had called plays for the Lions to end the 2021 season and it was going to be either him or new offensive coordinator Ben Johnson that would be handling the duties in 2022. As we now know, Johnson was given the reins, and the Lions’ offense has been one of the best in the NFL. Because of his brilliant play-calling, Johnson has been mentioned time and time again as a potential head-coaching candidate for the 2023 season.
Who could consider Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson as a head-coaching candidate?
In an article recently published by The Athletic, Joseph Person and Jeff Howe discussed some potential candidates to be the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers, and John made the list
The rapid-rising offensive coordinator has led the Lions to the fifth-most points in the league this season and resurrected quarterback Jared Goff’s career. If you want to know how valued Johnson has become, just look at the way Lions fans respond on Twitter anytime he’s mentioned as a head coaching candidate. The 36-year-old hasn’t previously interviewed for top jobs, so he’s a little green. If the Panthers want an experienced candidate, Johnson probably won’t get a long look. But they should talk to Johnson and figure out for themselves if they believe he’s ready. -Howe
Johnson’s offense faced some tough sledding in a Week 16 loss at Carolina, almost literally. Goff and other Detroit players complained about the hard playing surface after the Panthers’ 37-23 win in the coldest home game (20 degrees) in Carolina history. Johnson is a sharp guy: He didn’t win the starting quarterback job after walking on at North Carolina but did earn math and computer science degrees. Though Johnson hasn’t been a coordinator long, he’s coached quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends, and Lions coach Dan Campbell considers him a “rock star.” – Pearson
In my opinion, Johnson could land an interview or two, but I think he will be back with the Lions for the 2023 season. The question is, with that end up being his final season in the Motor City?
