Ben Johnson loomed because the favourite for the Commanders’ HC job for greater than two weeks, however a curveball appears to have disrupted the NFC East franchise’s search course of.
Regardless of being within the North Carolina native since final yr and being ready to pursue him for a second straight offseason, the Panthers didn’t look ahead to the Lions’ season to finish, as an alternative hiring Dave Canales final week. That gave the impression to be a prelude to Johnson’s Washington arrival, however the outstanding HC candidate has as soon as once more pledged to stay with Detroit. This creates uncertainty for Josh Harris‘ membership.
Though ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter signifies Johnson didn’t seem a slam dunk for the Washington job, he mentions Commanders brass was en path to Detroit to interview Johnson and Aaron Glenn when phrase emerged the Lions OC was bowing out of one other search. Johnson’s choice stunned many, per Schefter, regardless that the younger play-caller made the identical transfer final yr.
The Commanders certainly had Johnson put in because the front-runner right here, per Fox Sports activities’ Ralph Vacchiano. As for who’s most probably to land the job now, Vacchiano signifies Dan Quinn and Mike Macdonald have been seen as sleepers throughout this course of. These two have been sought-after candidates, however the “sleeper” label seems to have been utilized as a result of Johnson was seen as a borderline prohibitive favourite to turn into the following Commanders HC.
Quinn has interviewed twice with the Commanders, Macdonald as soon as. Each are in consideration for the opposite HC emptiness. A Seahawks-Quinn reunion turned rumored instantly after Pete Carroll‘s ouster, whereas Macdonald is interviewing with the group Tuesday.
Johnson, 37, acquired a elevate to remain in Detroit final yr. One other pay bump shouldn’t be believed to be forthcoming, Schefter provides, noting Johnson’s present Lions deal runs by means of the 2025 season. The Lions ought to once more be anticipated to subject a top quality offense. Jared Goff is signed by means of 2024, however he’s on observe to turn into a higher-paid QB earlier than subsequent season. Go-catching pillars Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta stay on rookie offers, however the previous is a transparent extension candidate in 2024. Three of Detroit’s 5 O-line starters — Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell — are underneath contract for 2024 as properly.
Extra enticing jobs might additionally open up in 2025. The Cowboys and Eagles hung out deliberating about their head coaches, and though Mike McCarthy and Nick Sirianni are returning, they’ll achieve this on scorching seats (McCarthy particularly, as he’s a lame duck). The Jaguars’ endurance with Doug Pederson might put on skinny as properly, given the disappointing season the group simply accomplished. Though no head coach has been fired following a playoff berth since Mike Mularkey (Tennessee) six years in the past, the Payments simply turned the third group within the home-field benefit period (1975-present) to lose back-to-back house divisional-round video games. Sean McDermott‘s seat has possible warmed as properly, nevertheless it won’t rival the 2 coaches overseeing NFC East powers presently.
Because the Commanders proceed their search, they do nonetheless have Texans OC Bobby Slowik within the combine. Whereas Slowik has solely been a play-caller for one season, he joins Adam Peters in having spent intensive time in San Francisco. Right here is how the Washington search appears following Johnson’s shock exit:
- Invoice Belichick, former head coach (Patriots): Workforce not believed to have an interest
- Eric Bieniemy, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): To conduct second interview 1/30
- Jim Harbaugh, head coach (Michigan): Talked about as candidate
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): To conduct second interview 1/30; rent anticipated?
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/29
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Performed second interview 1/24
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Performed second interview 1/30
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Performed second interview 1/23
- Anthony Weaver, defensive position coach (Ravens): Performed second interview 1/29
