BREAKING: Ben Johnson Says 'No' to Commanders, Remains with Lions
The Washington Commanders' coaching candidate pool has lost a member.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has informed the Commanders that he isn't interested in leaving his team.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches warm up before the Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Johnson, 37, was reportedly the favorite for the Commanders job and Washington had waited weeks to interview him in person after the Lions were eliminated in the NFC Championship Game. However, Johnson is turning down the chance to become a head coach this year in hopes to lead the Lions to the Super Bowl in 2024.
Johnson turning down the offer leads to truth from what ESPN's Adam Schefter said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday.
"I'm not convinced yet that Ben Johnson is getting the Commanders job," Schefter said. "People think Ben Johnson is going to Washington and Dan Quinn is going to Seattle ... I will bet you at a minimum that one of those isn't right and maybe both."
With Johnson out of the mix, Baltimore Ravens coaches Mike Macdonald and Anthony Weaver, as well as Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn remain candidates for the job. The team could also still hire Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik or promote offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, though those options aren't as likely.
