In February, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson told the Twentyman in the Huddle podcast why he decided to turn down head coaching opportunities and return to the Lions in 2023.
You know what? There are so many things going on here, so many good people, coaches, players. I love the offensive staff, everyone we have on board there. I love the players. I love coming in to work everyday. Coach [Dan] Campbell is incredible. So, end of the day, talking with my family, it just made sense. It made sense, don’t ruin a good thing.
Johnson reportedly had interviews scheduled with the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts following his debut season as the offensive coordinator in Detroit. But he ultimately decided to hold off on climbing the NFL coaching ladder — at least for one year.
While it’s far from an apples-to-apples comparison, the Minnesota Vikings are likely hoping that Johnson is someone they can highlight to explain why it makes sense for defensive coordinator Brian Flores to return for a second season in 2024.
Before Johnson took over the Lions’ offense in 2022, they were regularly in the bottom of the NFL.
- 2021
- 25th in points
- 22nd in yards
- 24th in EPA/play
- 2020
- 20th in points
- 20th in yards
- 20th in EPA/play
- 2019
- 18th in points
- 17th in yards
- 22nd in EPA/play
- 2018
- 25th in points
- 24th in yards
- 23rd in EPA/play
But with Johnson at the controls for the first time last season, Detroit experienced an offensive explosion, seemingly overnight.
- 2022
- Fifth in points
- Fourth in yards
- Sixth in EPA/play
The renaissance Minnesota’s defense is experiencing under Flores in his first year resembles the jump the Lions offense made with Johnson. Here’s where the Vikings ranked defensively in each of the past three seasons under Ed Donatell and Mike Zimmer:
- 2022
- 28th in points
- 31st in yards
- 16th in EPA/play
- 2021
- 24th in points
- 30th in yards
- 12th in EPA/play
- 2020
- 29th in points
- 27th in yards
- 25th in EPA/play
Here’s where the Vikings defense ranks through Week 15 in 2023 under Flores.
- 2023
- Sixth in points
- 12th in yards
- Sixth in EPA/play
Johnson rewarded the Lions not only by returning for a second season as the OC but also by sustaining the level of production for his unit in Year 2. The Lions currently rank fifth in points, third in yards, and eighth in EPA/play.
By displaying a certain amount of discipline and not jumping at the first head coaching opportunity someone presented to him, one could argue that Johnson learned from Flores’ experiences. First-time head coaches — like Flores with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 — have a propensity for struggling mightily when taking over floundering franchises. The Dolphins tasked Flores with overseeing a tank job in his debut season, and they responded by winning only five games. Although Miami won 10 and nine games, respectively, over the following two seasons, they failed to reach the postseason and parted ways with Flores after the 2021 season.
It’s fair to say that Johnson probably wanted to finish what he started with the Lions after the team went 9-8 and missed the playoffs last season. Johnson also arguably felt confident in his ability to raise his individual stock with another year in Detroit. Maybe a more desirable head coaching position will become available to him after the 2023 season. The Los Angeles Chargers with Justin Herbert, perhaps?
On Thursday, Josina Anderson sent shockwaves through the NFL landscape by reporting that Johnson and his representation are demanding roughly $15 million per season to be considered for any head coaching position in this upcoming cycle. Less than two hours after Anderson reported that figure, Johnson’s agent, Richmond Flowers III, responded.
Regardless of the legitimacy of Anderson’s report, it shows that Johnson is validated for returning to Detroit. Johnson is differentiating himself from the pack with a coaching cycle lacking depth in hotshot up-and-comers. As the saying goes, “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price,” and Johnson has almost guaranteed himself a seat at the table for any upcoming head coaching vacancies he desires.
When it comes to Flores, he has reminded the football world (and in a big way) this season why he deserves to hold one of the 32 head coaching positions in the NFL. It needs to be mentioned that Flores still has an ongoing lawsuit with the NFL regarding discrimination. And that may or may not turn some owners away from considering Flores as their head coach in this upcoming hiring cycle, even though Flores has gone above and beyond in earning every opportunity to be considered for a top position over the next few weeks.
If Flores decides that betting on himself with a second season as the Vikings’ DC is best, one could argue that would be (hands down) Minnesota’s biggest win of the 2023 season. Even though Kevin O’Connell and this ball club have admirably withstood the mountain of injury adversity this season, running it back with Flores and (fingers crossed) a healthier roster in 2024 could signify a legitimate opportunity at a Super Bowl next season.
That’s exactly what Johnson is helping provide the Lions this year before embarking on potentially running his own franchise in 2024.
