Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has his sights set on a specific environment if he were to take a future heading coaching job.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed on the latest episode of Scoop City that Johnson is focused on a team that is attempting to win immediately if he decides to leave Detroit.
"He wants to make sure he can succeed," Russini said (27:30 mark). "Which is smart. Look at these coaches that take these bad jobs. All you do is just take steps back and ruin your reputation."
The Lions currently sit at 13-2 and have clinched back-to-back seasons with a double-digit win total for the first time in franchise history, with Johnson playing a large role in the sudden prosperity.
Detroit boasts the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense at 32.9 points per game while owning the second-best passing attack and No. 6 rushing offense among all 32 teams this season.
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Johnson has been recognized for his impact, as he was a head coaching candidate for the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders following the 2023 season before he eventually chose to stay with the Lions.
As for the 2025 offseason, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are expected to target him.
While all three organizations have clinched losing records this season, one team may interest Johnson. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero revealed on Sunday that Johnson is "intrigued" by Chicago's opening.
The Bears sit at 4-11, but the opportunity to work with young offensive talent such as Caleb Williams, Cole Kmet and Rome Odunze may sway the current Lions coordinator.
For now, Johnson appears to be focused on helping Detroit maintain its status as the No. 1 team in the NFC.
