You have undoubtedly heard about the argument between the offensive coordinator of the Lions, Ben Johnson, and the Washington Commanders if you have been following the NFL this past week. Following the season, Johnson—the team’s offensive wizard—was the top candidate for Washington’s head coaching position. However, league regulations meant that before the Commanders could hire Johnson or even have an in-person interview with him,
they had to watch the coaching carousel spin and wait for the Lions’ postseason run to conclude. Ultimately, the Tuesday following the NFC championship game loss by the 49ers to the Lions, Washington’s management boarded atravel to Detroit. However, Johnson told the Commanders brass that he would not be taking the job, nor would he be interviewing, while they were in the air. He intended to remain with the Lions.
The media’s reaction has been nothing short of epic. Initially, Johnson was never a “head-coaching lock,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and his “asking price spooked some teams.” Shortly after, Schefter refuted his own findings, claiming that Johnson’s primary motive for staying in Detroit was not money and that he had not received a rise.
Dan Quinn, a former defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, was hired by the Commanders two days later to serve as head coach. That ought to have been it; Johnson now has the position he desires and the Commanders had their future coach. But this tale hasn’t disappeared. Since then, numerous sources have claimed that Johnson did not perform well during the interview. Schefter continued to lash out at Johnson on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday. Detroit -long interview when he had already decided he didn’t want the position.
