Lions OC Johnson wants to remain in the 'sunshine' a bit longer
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson remains confident that he will one day become a head coach and is currently enjoying what the Detroit Lions have built in recent years.
"I think when it boils down to it, I want the sun to shine a little bit longer. That's really what it comes down to for me," Johnson said Thursday, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I like the sunshine. I like what we've built here, starting with ownership, the head coach and the GM on down."
"We have a great group of guys in the locker room, and I want to reap the rewards with them a little bit longer,” Johnson added.
Head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions are closer to enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean after enduring several frigid years that resembled a trek through the Arctic. Following a 3-13-1 mark in 2021, the Lions have displayed gradual improvement. Detroit won the NFC North division title last season for the first time since 1993 on its way to posting a 12-5 record and making it to the NFC Championship.
The 38-year-old Johnson passed up several offers to become a head coach for the second straight offseason and is considered one of the hottest candidates in the coaching carousel. The South Carolina native interviewed with the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Johnson is now preparing to call the Lions' offense for a third season. Detroit has thrived since he was promoted to the full-time role in 2022. The franchise finished in the top five in the league with 27.1 points per game last season and concluded the 2023 campaign third in total offense with 394.8 yards per contest.
The Lions made it a priority to secure their future in the offseason. Both general manager Brad Holmes and Campbell received extensions in March, while Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell were signed to lucrative extensions.
Johnson theorizes that the longer he remains in his role as coordinator, the more prepared he'll be for the next step in his career.
"Personally, I don't feel like I'm hurting my opportunities or my abilities to be a head coach in the future, and I love what I'm doing right now," Johnson said.