3 important takeaways from the Commanders-Ben Johnson saga

What were some important takeaways from the saga between the Washington Commanders and Ben Johnson that reached a dramatic conclusion?

The Washington Commanders received the news of Ben Johnson remaining with the Detroit Lions as they were on a plane ready to meet with what many believed to be their preferred head coaching candidate. This sent shockwaves through the NFL and left Josh Harris' hiring committee with no option other than to explore alternatives.

They continued to Detroit for a meeting with Aaron Glenn, but this was a blow to their hopes of finding an offensive-minded coach. That's not the end of the world with others also under consideration. Even if that seemed to be the case when the shocking development became public knowledge.

It's back to the drawing board, to a certain extent. Johnson wants to see if he can reach the promised land after coming close to a Super Bowl appearance this season. While it's a gamble, the play-caller's stock could soar further with another impressive year next time around.

There was a lot to unpack in the news' immediate aftermath. With this in mind, here are three important takeaways from the saga between Johnson and the Commanders.

Commanders should be upset at the timing

There are certain ways to go about business and professional relationships. After agreeing to attend a second interview, Ben Johnson got cold feet at the worst possible time.

The Washington Commanders were on a plane bound for Detroit when they were informed Johnson was staying put. This could have been done to ensure Josh Harris' hiring committee stayed on course to meet with Aaron Glenn. That said, it's a bad look that won't go unnoticed by those around the league.

One could see this as a slap in the face considering the Commanders have a lot going for them this offseason. Johnson was well within his right to spurn advances for a second straight hiring cycle, but the coach and his representatives handled the situation terribly.