Ben Johnson decides to stay with the Detroit Lions, costing the Seattle Seahawks one potential head coach.
The Seattle Seahawks’ list of head coach candidates decreased by one on Tuesday.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, considered a top candidate for the position, has taken himself out of the running for head coach positions and will return to the Lions for the 2024 season, according to multiple reports.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Johnson has informed the Washington Commanders and the Seahawks—the final two clubs without a head coach—that he will remain in Detroit.
Johnson, 37, was reportedly the Commanders’ first pick and was one of the most sought-after applicants in the 2024 hiring cycle. According to reports, Johnson made his choice while traveling to Detroit for interviews with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and himself. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson’s alleged $15 million annual price had turned away several teams. However, Johnson’s representative refuted the allegation on cbssports.com. Money wasn’t the decisive issue for Johnson, according to Schefter.
According to other reports, Johnson is aware that he will probably be a top pick in the 2025 recruiting class and that he wants to win a Super Bowl with the Lions.
Johnson’s choice limits the options available to the Seahawks. Regarded as one of the team’s top prospects, Johnson supposedly had a second interview with the Seahawks on Monday.
With Johnson sidelined, the Seahawks will probably concentrate on their other strong contenders for Pete Carroll’s job, defensive coordinators Mike Macdonald of the Baltimore Ravens and Dan Quinn of the Dallas Cowboys.
Macdonald, 36, was scheduled to have his first interview with the Seahawks on Tuesday. Macdonald led the Ravens’ defense that led the NFL in points allowed (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31). The Washington Commanders had a second interview with Macdonald on Monday.
Quinn, had a second interview with the Seahawks last week and interviewed with the Commanders on Tuesday. Quinn was the defensive coordinator with the Seahawks under Carroll during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He’s been the defensive coordinator with the Cowboys for the past three seasons.
Along with Mike Kafka of the New York Giants, Patrick Graham of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Ejiro Evero of the Carolina Panthers, the Seahawks have recorded second interviews with the offensive coordinators of the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers.
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