In an alternate universe, Ben Johnson could be coaching against the Detroit Lions this week in the NFC playoffs.
Johnson was widely considered the frontrunner for the Washington Commanders vacant head-coaching job last winter when he pulled his name out of consideration to return for a third season as Lions offensive coordinator.
The Commanders, who were flying to interview Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn at the time, hired Dan Quinn as head coach days later.
Quinn led Washington to a 12-5 record and the best turnaround in the NFL this season, and Johnson is back on the market as one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in this year’s hiring cycle.
“No irony,” Johnson said when asked about those dynamics Wednesday. “These guys, they have good coaches, they have good players and they’ve won a lot of games this year, so a very dangerous opponent and one that we’re certainly not taking lightly.”
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The Lions and Commanders play Saturday in an NFC divisional showdown at Ford Field.
Johnson explained before the season that he turned down a second interview with Washington (and the Seattle Seahawks) last year because of unfinished business he had with a Lions team that came a whisker away from making its first Super Bowl.
On Wednesday, he said his past interviews made him “a lot more prepared” for the types of questions he’s fielded during this year’s hiring cycle and he’s been better able to express his big-picture view of what he wants his team to look like when he’s in charge.
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Johnson, who changed agents this offseason, interviewed virtually with the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars during the Lions’ bye last week. The Patriots hired Mike Vrabel as their new head coach, while the Bears, Raiders and Jaguars jobs remain open.
Raiders part-owner Tom Brady is broadcasting the Lions’ game Saturday.
Johnson declined to say what factors matter most to him in accepting a head-coaching gig, and he said he didn’t know if he was allowed to have contact with Brady before the game.
“I’m going to stay focused on the main thing right here and that’s going to be the Washington Commanders right here and now,” he said. “That’s what we’re about. I told the head coach when we came in – he asked me about how it went this weekend. It went great. And that’s the end of it. The focus right here and now for the players, for the coaching staff, for everybody in this building is about this game this week.”
Johnson said Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator who is also highly in demand, is “beyond qualified” to be a head coach and touted his leadership skills.
“You hear all of our players singing his praises right now and that’s exactly what I would do,” Johnson said. “I would second that. He is more prepared to be a head coach than maybe anybody I’ve ever met. He wants that and I think he’s going to do a phenomenal job in charge.”
Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline.” Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
In a recent press conference, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator (OC) spoke about the importance of interviews in the hiring process. He emphasized the need for thorough and thoughtful questions to truly understand a candidate’s qualifications and fit for the role. The OC stressed that interviews should be a two-way street, allowing both the interviewer and candidate to evaluate each other and determine if it’s a good match. He also highlighted the importance of open communication and transparency throughout the interview process. Overall, the OC emphasized the value of interviews in finding the right person for the job and building a strong team.
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