False and irresponsible’: Coordinator’s agent pushes back on $17 million.
Earlier Thursday, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported that league personnel are talking about their knowledge that some owners have been told that Lions OC Ben Johnson is asking for at least $15 million/year for the head coaching job, according to a source.
When asked about his name being mentioned as a candidate for the Lions’ coaching job this week, Johnson said reporters should ask Detroit’s defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, the same question.
“He’s going to be a great head coach when the time comes,” Johnson said, adding that his focus is on Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
The Texans and Colts interviewed Johnson for their coaching jobs last offseason — after he served as their offensive coordinator for the first time in his career — and Johnson had a second interview scheduled for this season with the Panthers (according to The Athletic).
But Johnson chose to stay in Detroit, where he’ll be reunited with Dan Campbell and his quarterback, Jared Goff, for another season.
Johnson’s agent then called the report “100% false and irresponsible.”
“League sources have informed me that there is currently no asking price and no demand,” Flowers III wrote on Twitter. “This is 100% false & irresponsible reporting.”
The Lions’ offensive coordinator since 2019, Johnson has been the architect behind a defense that ranks third in the NFL in yards, third in points, and second in rushing yards per game (140.9).
When asked about his name being mentioned as a candidate for the Lions’ coaching job this week, Johnson said reporters should ask Detroit’s defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn the same question.
“He’s going to be a great head coach when he gets it,” Johnson said, adding that his focus is on Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
Johnson was interviewed by the Texans and Colts for their coaching jobs last off-season — following his first year as OC — and had a second interview with the Panthers, per The Athletic.
But Johnson chose to return to Detroit and reunite with coach Dan Campbell and QB Jared Goff for one more season.\
The Panthers, Chargers, and Raiders all have interim coaches and could be in need of replacements before the season’s end, and it’s possible that the Giants and Patriots could also be in need of new head coaches.
If a team pays Johnson $15 million this season, he would be only the fifth active coach to hit or exceed that mark, joining McVay (Rams), Carroll (Seahawks), Payton (Broncos), and Belichick (Patriots).
