Ben Johnson's Truth: Why'd Coach Back Out of Seahawks Job? 'Spooked'? 'Money?' Really?
There is something about the reporting on Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, backing out of his chance to become a head coach with the Seattle Seahawks that doesn't smell right ...
Or, in the unlikely event that it's true, shouldn't sit right with Seahawks fans.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that some teams were "spooked" by Johnson's salary demands, painting a picture of a greedy Johnson being unwilling to accept a reasonable offer from a team with an opening.
Given that only Seattle and Washington have openings ... you can draw your own conclusions.
But here's the problem with Schefter's report: It sidesteps the possibility that the interviewing teams somehow screwed up, placing the blame on Johnson with the "salary demand'' angle.
So ... the Allen family couldn't afford Ben Johnson? Really?
As the Seattle search narrows (with Dan Quinn and Mike Macdonald among those in play), Johnson is returning to the Lions for the 2024 season, and he is revealing his reasons for doing so ... and in the end, we might discover that the "spooky salary'' angle is bogus and the result of media water-carrying.
"Talked to my wife about it, and we just came to a really good decision of, ‘Hey, you know, we’re happy where we are. We love where we are. We love being in Detroit, love the people here,’ and just decided then to go ahead and put the brakes on it right now,” Johnson said. “Just wasn’t the time for us.”
So Johnson won't take the Commanders head coaching job and he won't be coming to Seattle. As first noted by the Washington Post, his decision is fueled by wanting to get to a Super Bowl, which logically can happen more quickly in Detroit than in Seattle.
“I love Dan Campbell, I’ve known him for a long time," Johnson said. "I believe in the direction of this organization. And so that truly was the biggest drawing point for me to come back, was what we have here, what we’re building here, is something I want to be a part of.''
And here's the hilarious twist: After first reporting that Johnson was so greedy that it "spooked'' the Seahawks/Commanders, Schefter later reported - we assume with a straight face ...
"Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has two years remaining on his contract with Detroit. His deal was not adjusted to stay, per league source, proving that money is not Johnson’s biggest motivation. The Lions still could opt to adjust the contract down the line, but it’s not the reason that Johnson returned to Detroit today. Johnson is loyal.''
Oh. But Schefter, didn't you just say ... Oh well. Never mind.
