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Ranking best head coach landing spots for Lions' Ben Johnson, plus a prediction
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- Ranking best head coach landing spots for Lions' Ben Johnson, plus a prediction
The Detroit Lions could be dealing with a brain drain once their postseason run ends.
The main two on-field assistants, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, are considered top candidates for the five head coaching jobs still remaining. Johnson and Glenn have been instrumental in the Lions' 15-2 season after returning to their roles for their third and fourth seasons, respectively.
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Johnson's offenses have ranked in the top 5 in scoring since he took over in 2022 , but his group reached a new level this season, averaging an NFL-leading 33.2 points per game. On top of his reputation as one of the most creative and detailed playcallers in the league, Johnson has played a hand in player development all over the field, most notably with quarterback Jared Goff .
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches a replay against Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.
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Johnson has virtually interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears and has reportedly been requested to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders . Johnson also interviewed with the New England Patriots , who opted to hire Mike Vrabel on Sunday instead. The other two openings, the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets , reportedly did not request to interview Johnson.
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Here is a quick ranking of the three openings available to the Lions offensive coordinator and a quick prediction on where he will be for the 2025 season.
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3. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders fall to last because of their quarterback situation. Las Vegas went with Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew in 2024, which went as poorly as expected, especially after Minshew suffered a season-ending broken collarbone.
There were a few bright spots on offense, including first-team All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers setting numerous records as a rookie. Tre Tucker and Jakobi Myers were a fine receiving tandem once Devante Adams was traded to the New York Jets. But they lack a game-changer in the running game and a quarterback to distribute the ball.
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Defensively, top-tier talent such Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins were injured this season, and the back seven features players like linebacker Robert Spillane , corner Jack Jones and safety Tre'von Moehrig. Spillane and Moehrig will be free agents this offseason.
The Raiders have 10 draft picks, including No. 6, in the 2025 draft. According to OverTheCap , the Raiders have the second-most effective cap space at $85.7 million.
2. Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) escapes Detroit Lions defense during a game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The Lions defeated the Bears with a score of 34-17.
The Bears came into 2024 with massive expectations but completely imploded by mid-season and canned Matt Eberflus after a confounding loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving.
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On offense, the talent is there with former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback and two good receivers under contract in D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze . Defensively, the group fell as the season went along but has talent on that side of the ball with players such as Montez Sweat , Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon .
Part of the reason the Bears were so bad, however, was the trench play. Williams was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL and former Lions running back D'Andre Swift disappointed after joining as a free agent because of an offensive line that resembled a colander at times.
However, hope remains because of the talent still there, a bounty of cap space this offseason and eight picks in the upcoming draft, including No. 10 overall. According to OverTheCap, the Bears have $54 million in effective cap space for 2025.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars underwhelmed preseason expectations and own the fifth pick in April's draft in Green Bay after going 4-13.
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Quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled before suffering a season-ending injury, which tanked the team even further, while the defense ranked 27th in points allowed and second-to-last in total defense.
There is talent on both sides of ball, but overall still too many holes. Lawrence still has pedigree as a top pick and a true No. 1 option in receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and the defense has two good edge rushers, Josh-Hines Allen and Travon Walker (who went No. 1 overall ahead of the Lions' Aidan Hutchinson in 2022), but the offensive line, secondary and secondary skill players need attention.
The Jaguars have 10 picks in the 2025 draft, including six in the first four rounds, thanks to trading left tackle Cam Robinson to the Vikings. According to OverTheCap, Jacksonville has $27.9 million in effective cap space this offseason.
Prediction for Ben Johnson head coach hire
In 2025, Johnson will be coaching ... the Jaguars.
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Back in December, Johnson said he had a "burning desire" to find out what he's made of as a head coach and was waiting for the right opportunity.
If the Lions go far again in the playoffs, that time seems to be now. The Bears are reportedly putting on the full-court press to woo Johnson, but the leadership that has sunk previous regimes remains in place, which feels like a massive barrier. Jacksonville still has Trent Baalke, a GM who seemingly specializes in winning power struggles more than winning games, but the Jaguars feel more likely to shake up the front office if needed. However, there is still a very real possibility Johnson will return to Detroit given the options at hand, coupled with his love for the city and organization.
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press . Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 , and email him at jramsey@freepress.com .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ranking Ben Johnson coach landing spots: Predicting Bears or Jaguars?
