Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has rejected head coaching overtures in each of the past two offseasons, but he’ll be the NFL’s No. 1 HC candidate again in 2025 if he’s willing to leave.
Dan Campbell’s club ranked just 21st in PFN’s OFF+ metric in 2021, when Johnson was the team’s passing game coordinator under offensive play-caller Anthony Lynn. Detroit earned a C- grade (71.6) in PFN’s model.
Campbell promoted Johnson to offensive coordinator heading into the 2022 campaign. Here’s where the Lions have finished in OFF+ with Johnson at the helm:
- 2022: 4th (84.7, B)
- 2023: 5th (81.6, B-)
- 2024: 1st (92.5, A-)
Detroit’s offense has averaged 0.08 expected points per dropback (EPA) since Johnson became the play-caller. That’s tied for second-best in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, trailing only the Buffalo Bills. Johnson’s unit ranks fifth in success rate (48.8%) since 2022.
If Johnson decides to accept a head coaching position in 2025, where are his best landing spots?
Ben Johnson’s Potential Head Coaching Landing Spots
Chicago Bears
While the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints have fired their head coaches this season, it’s hard to imagine Johnson — who’s repeatedly said he wants to find the perfect fit — latching on with a bad-vibes New York squad or a cap-strapped New Orleans organization.
But the Chicago Bears, who fired Matt Eberflus after a disastrous Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions, have far more to offer.
Johnson would work with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, who’s been mishandled by Chicago’s current coaching staff. The Bears have multiple contributors at premium positions like wide receiver (DJ Moore and Rome Odunze) and offensive tackle (Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright).
Additionally, Chicago has over $80 million in projected 2025 cap space (fifth-most in the league) to supplement its roster next offseason.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones isn’t ruling out an extension for lame-duck head coach Mike McCarthy, but a 2025 parting still seems likely.
Whether Johnson would view Jones and his preference for flash over substance as an ideal fit remains to be seen. But Dak Prescott is the sort of quarterback who might convince Johnson to finally leave the friendly confines of Detroit (CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons don’t hurt, either).
Jones has typically given his head coaches plenty of rope, another feather in the Dallas Cowboys’ cap. Johnson wouldn’t have to worry about getting fired after a season or two in Dallas.
Jacksonville Jaguars
By all accounts, Shad Khan wants to field a winning team. The Jacksonville Jaguars owner has never been afraid to spend, both on player acquisitions and on off-field reinforcements in the analytics space. Khan has generally exuded patience with his general managers and head coaches, only firing Urban Meyer after 13 games in 2021 when Meyer’s actions forced Khan’s hand.
If Johnson could be sold on a Jacksonville vision that doesn’t include incumbent GM Trent Baalke, he might be intrigued by the idea of working with Trevor Lawrence.
New York Giants
The New York Giants have publicly maintained that head coach Brian Daboll will return in 2025, but we’ve seen this story before. Former New York HCs like Ben McAdoo and Joe Judge seemed to be assured of returning, only to be fired after late-season debacles.
Johnson would get the opportunity to identify, draft, and develop Big Blue’s next franchise quarterback. Meanwhile, the Giants already boast several stars like WR Malik Nabers, OT Andrew Thomas, and DT Dexter Lawrence, plus intriguing young pieces like RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, and DBs Deonte Banks and Tyler Nubin.
Cincinnati Bengals
Would the Cincinnati Bengals actually fire Zac Taylor?
Former head coach Marvin Lewis got 16 years in Cincinnati without winning a playoff game. Taylor took the Bengals to the Super Bowl. Team owner Mike Brown is anything but reactionary; Taylor and Co. might have to lose out for him to be at risk of losing his job.
Still, pairing Johnson with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase feels like a dream combination. Burrow and Chase are, in some ways, souped-up versions of current Johnson weapons Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown.