Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson withdrew his name from the Washington Commanders head coaching position to return to his old post, much to the surprise of many who assumed he was the favorite to land the job.
Reports later surfaced that teams – including the Commanders – were deterred by Johnson’s contract demands, but another report from ESPN’s Jenna Laine explained that Johnson didn’t like the new Washington ownership group because they appeared overconfident in their plans for the team.
Was told that Ben Johnson was “turned off” by Commanders ownership, that they’re “basketball guys” and felt they were a little too confident in their football opinions. And I also heard that he “didn’t interview well.” He said, he said, but clearly not a good fit for both sides. https://t.co/negeevYsha
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) February 3, 2024
As Laine wrote, this is a standard “he said, he said” situation with both sides claiming they turned the other side down.
The Commanders ownership group is led by Josh Harris, who also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils – so Johnson isn’t far off in his assessment of the owners’ background.
NBA Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson is another key member of the group, who’s worked exclusively in basketball operations in his post-playing career.
When Johnson withdrew his name, the Commanders eventually landed on Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who previously coached the Atlanta Falcons before he joined the Cowboys.
Whether or not Johnson or the Commanders made the right decision remains to be seen, but Washington can really reshape it’s team with the No. 2 overall draft pick this spring.
Quinn will be working with whomever the team takes at No. 2 – likely a quarterback – but a defense that lost a lot of high-profile talent after the Commanders traded away players like Chase Young and Montez Sweat earlier this year.
Johnson, meanwhile, will return to coach a Detroit offensive that finished in the top five in 2023.
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