NEWSLETTER
There’s something to be said for a head coach who creates a strong culture. While we all poked fun at Dan Campbell’s sometimes over-the-top charisma, he’s done that in Detroit. So much so that he was able to retain his OC Ben Johnson, despite Johnson being one of the hottest names in the league.
Multiple reports Tuesday evening have Dan Campbell and the Lions keeping Johnson around for at least one more season.
This is a huge move for the Lions. But it’s an even more significant loss to the teams with vacancies in their head coaching positions. Johnson had already interviewed with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Johnson was scheduled to meet with the Carolina Panthers today.
In Johnson’s first season as the offensive coordinator in Detroit, the Lions ranked fifth in total offense. Detroit set a franchise record this season with eight games of 30-plus points.
Before becoming the OC in Detroit, Johnson served as the tight ends coach in 2020 and 2021. Johnson had a role in developing T.J. Hockenson and Brock Wright, who replaced Hockenson after the trade to Minnesota. Wright caught 18 passes for 216 yards and four touchdowns and averaged 12.0 yards per catch in five starts.
Jared Goff praised Johnson for helping him have one of the best seasons of his career this year in Detroit. Goff’s 4.14 touchdown to interception ratio was the best single-season mark in Lions history.
With Johnson sticking around, the Lions remain on the trajectory they ended the season with. That’s a big win for Dan Campbell and Detroit early in the offseason.
