Chances of Lions Losing Coach This Offseason Just Went Up

The Detroit Lions are 12-1, and Super Bowl favorites as we head to the final four weeks of the season. With the team on the verge of having the best regular season in franchise history, the coaching staff is understandably receiving a ton of attention.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has long been everyone's favorite head coaching candidate. In the 2023 offseason, the Carolina Panthers coveted the 38-year-old offensive mind but he chose to remain in Detroit.

He was then pursued by the Commanders and the Seahawks in the 2024 coaching cycle and stayed in Detroit for another season. Now, he is once again in the center of the coaching rumor mill.

This time around, he is at the top of Chicago's coaching search. In a recent ESPN report, NFL insider Seth Wickersham said that Bill Belichick didn't think the Bears were a potential suitor because they are "targeting" Ben Johnson.

Belichick's advisors reportedly believe that the Bears are laser-focused on Johnson in their job search.

Ben Johnson Leads Bears' Head Coaching Search per Latest Report

"The group expects the same thing that most around the league do: that the Bears will go offense, hoping to give quarterback Caleb Williams a chance at a career, probably targeting Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson."

- Seth Wickersham, ESPN

Whether that is accurate remains to be seen, but it's clear that Johnson will be a highly sought-after coach in the offseason.

Chicago's presumed interest in Johnson is completely understandable. They have Caleb Williams under center and a ton of offensive talent surrounding him. The coaching staff there wasn't able to unlock the potential of that offensive unit. Bringing in Johnson who has been the best offensive coordinator in the NFL ever since taking the job in 2022, makes plenty of sense.

The Lions have been a top-five offense every year with Johnson as the offensive coordinator. This season is their best performance yet, as they lead the league in points and have the second-most yards of any team in the NFL.

They are a top-five unit in passing and rushing offense. Detroit is doing it with a quarterback like Jared Goff, who has some limitations. He also does not have the most elite playmaking talent in the league, making it much more impressive.

Perhaps the Lions can convince Johnson to stay for another season. A Super Bowl win would certainly go a long way in that. Being an offensive coordinator for the best team in football might be more appealing than being the head coach of a franchise that has had one winning season in 12 years. Let's hope Johnson feels that way.

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