Lions OC is staying, turning down possible chance to be NFL head coach due to ……….

Detroit According to a person familiar with the matter, Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, has made the decision to remain with the organization and decline offers to become an NFL head coach for the upcoming season.

The individual spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of staying anonymous as Johnson’s intentions were not disclosed.

Johnson was a candidate to coach the Seattle Seahawks and Washington, where he was seen as the front-runner.

The 37-year-old Johnson spent the three seasons prior in different coaching capacities before being elevated to offensive coordinator on Dan Campbell’s staff in 2022.

Johnson enabled the Lions to advance to the NFC championship game and win two playoff games in the same postseason for the first time since the team’s 1957 NFL championship victory.

The Commanders interviewed him prior to the Lions’ 34-31 loss to San Francisco, which eliminated them from the playoffs. He was regarded as their top contender.

Johnson, referred to by Campbell as “a rock star,” spent three years as an assistant at Boston College before making his NFL debut with Miami in 2012. After rising through the ranks to become receivers coach with the Dolphins in 2018, he was hired by Detroit and had a significant impact on QB Jared Goff’s development.