Dan Campbell wasn't kidding when he said he's prepared to lose both coordinators this offseason. Moments ago, ESPN's Adam Schefter announced that Ben Johnson is leaving the Detroit Lions.
Johnson, one of the top coaching candidates this cycle, is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the Chicago Bears. He was considered a top option for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders, but ultimately decided he wanted to take his talents to the Windy City.
For anyone shocked by this news, just know that Schefter hinted at Johnson joining the Bears last week while on Pat McAfee's show.
"Well, I know everybody has got Ben Johnson anointed to the Raiders. I’m not in that camp right now," Schefter said. "So, I have to believe it before I see it. Again, I know that this Raiders freight train has gathered a whole lot of steam – and I don’t want to slow it down because, by the way, I want to say, for the record, it could happen. He could be the coach there. But I am not just convinced just yet that that’s going to be the way it’s going to be. If you’re picking the Raiders? You’re telling me that Ben Johnson turned down the chance to go coach Jayden Daniels last year, turned that down, so he can go to a place this year in Las Vegas without a top pick, without a quarterback, that plays in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Bo Nix, Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh, and Sean Payton? Does that make sense to you? I’m just wondering."
It'll be fascinating to see where the Raiders and Jaguars go from here now that Johnson is off the board.
Johnson's main task will be to get the best out of Caleb Williams. If he can do that, he'll be in great shape. The rookie quarterback had 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
As for the Lions, they'll have to get used to facing Johnson's offense twice a year.
