Weeks after NFL Network reported that Ben Johnson was “intrigued” by the Bears' head coaching absence, Lions offensive coordinator — play-calling mastermind who topped the team's list both last season and this year. If Jacksonville fires Doug Pederson as expected, the Jaguars' job will be on the line. According to Pro Football Talk.
But the paper added that Johnson may want to have a say in hiring “his own personnel executive,” as the Jaguars also need to decide on general manager Trent Baalke's future.
Johnson, who was promoted within the Lions organization from offensive quality control coach in 2019 to offensive coordinator in 2022, orchestrated Detroit's offense, which averaged the most points per game (33.3), second only to the Ravens. He averaged the most yards per game (410.5 yards). ) This season — The Lions sit at 14-2 and have a chance to earn the NFC's top seed in the postseason.
But until Johnson takes the head coaching job, there will always be an element of mystique.
He emerged as one of the top candidates for the coaching cycle following the 2023 season, but Johnson changed his mind just before his second interview and dropped out of the manager's search while executives were on the move. He chose to spend one more season with the Lions.
Pro Football Talk also reported Sunday that some believe in Johnson. He won't be leaving Detroit “not this year or ever.”
Still, if he takes the head coaching job this offseason, the Jaguars will be able to move on from former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas, a promising receiver who rushed for 1,179 yards and 10 touchdowns during his rookie season.・It will offer the possibility of working with juniors.
However, the organization has been in a slump since mid-2023, with an 8-3 start that spiraled out of control and ended with Jacksonville missing the postseason.
In 2024, the team started 2-10, went 4-12 against the Colts in Week 18, and Lawrence, who had already battled injuries this year, was knocked out by a tough hit against the Texans on December 21st. I watched it happen. the rest of the season.
Somehow Pederson survived until the end of the season despite speculation that Jacksonville would step down as the Super Bowl winning coach during the Week 12 bye.
They will also have to decide on the future of Baalke (who hired Urban Meyer in 2021 and Pederson the following year) and what to do with their general manager position.
And if the Jaguars decide to pursue Johnson, they would have to fend off the Bears and other teams that could potentially work with Caleb Williams.
