Lions OC Ben Johnson Discusses Job Interviews Amid Bears Interest and Brady Buzz

Detroit: So, Ben Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator, is a hot name right now. He’s been chatting about job interviews with teams like the Bears. He said things have been going really well and he feels more ready this time around compared to previous years.

He tried to keep the focus on the Lions’ playoff game against the Commanders instead of all the coaching chatter. When asked about what he looks for in a head coaching gig, he playfully dodged the question, saying he’s focused on the game ahead.

The Bears were one of the teams that interviewed him, and he’s also talked to the Patriots, Raiders, and Jaguars. Interestingly, he turned down a chance to meet with the Jets.

Johnson mentioned he’s feeling more prepared for interviews this year. He’s been thinking about the bigger picture of what a program should look like, which has helped him answer questions more comfortably.

This week, there’s extra buzz because the Lions are playing the Commanders, and Tom Brady is part of the broadcast team. There’s talk about Brady possibly trying to recruit Johnson while he’s on air. When asked if he could chat with Brady before the game, Johnson wasn’t sure but mentioned they met briefly at a Packers game.

At just 38, Johnson has been the Lions’ offensive coordinator since 2022, and his teams have ranked impressively in scoring during his tenure.