NFL Rumors: Will Commanders hire Lions OC Ben Johnson as head coach?

The Detroit Lions’ quest for their first-ever Super Bowl was thwarted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 NFL season’s NFC Conference Championship. Nevertheless, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson played a crucial role in their journey from an underdog team to a contender for the Lombardi Trophy.

While acknowledging Johnson’s significant role, renowned rapper Eminem expressed his desire to see the offensive coordinator continue his career in Detroit. Reports now hint at Johnson’s potential move to the Washington Commanders as their head coach.

Is the Commanders planning to hire Ben Johnson as HC?

Amidst swirling rumors in the NFL community, speculation suggests that the Washington Commanders may be eyeing Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their next head coach. According to NFL Notifications, a source texted them about the likelihood of Johnson taking over the helm of the Commanders’ coaching staff in the near future.

“I expect Ben Johnson to be the #Commanders Head Coach by the end of the week,” the source reportedly stated.

Earlier this month, Johnson emerged as a top target for both the Carolina Panthers and the Commanders. However, the Panthers ultimately hired Dave Canales as their head coach after the departure of Frank Reich.

Although there’s no official announcement, ongoing discussions suggest that Johnson may be joining the Commanders. Despite numerous coaching changes in the league, Johnson remains a leading candidate for the Washington team.

Renowned NFL figure Boomer Esiason recently endorsed Johnson as the best available coach. On his WFAN radio show, Esiason confidently asserted that Johnson’s move to the Commanders was practically a certainty.

Adam Schefter pours cold water on Commanders-Ben Johnson rumors

Amid the ongoing coaching search for the Washington Commanders, rumors have been circulating that Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be the leading candidate for the head coaching position. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter downplayed these speculations during his appearance on Pat McAfee’s show.

“I’m not convinced yet that Ben Johnson is getting the Commander’s job,” he said on the show.

While Johnson has been considered by some as a strong contender, Schefter’s report suggests that the Commanders are actively considering other candidates for the position. The team has conducted interviews with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and scheduled in-person interviews with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who has since become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

Additionally, there are plans for second interviews with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and associate head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver for the head coaching position.

Schefter also emphasized in his report that despite reports pointing to Johnson as a potential favorite, there are multiple strong candidates, including Macdonald, Weaver, and Quinn, who are “very much in play” for the Commanders’ head-coaching job.

“There are some who have viewed Johnson as the ‘presumptive favorite’ for the Washington job, but multiple sources insist that is not true. While Johnson could land the Commanders head-coaching job, sources insist that there are other strong candidates — most notably Macdonald, Weaver, Glenn, and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn — who remain ‘very much in play,'” Schefter reported.

As the coaching search unfolds, it’s clear that the Commanders are exploring various options and considering a pool of qualified candidates to make an informed decision about their next head coach.