3 important takeaways from the Commanders-Ben Johnson saga

Commanders need someone 100 percent bought in

While it would have been nice for the Washington Commanders to get the most coveted head coach and general manager in the same cycle, this might be a blessing in disguise. The last thing Josh Harris' ownership group needs is someone not fully bought into the project or on the fence about taking the plunge.

Despite going through the process, it seems as if Ben Johnson was exactly that.

Johnson wanted to see if he could get a ring with the Detroit Lions, which is fine. They came close this year, but head coach Dan Campbell also acknowledged this might have been their only shot given how competitive things are around the league.

Coaching names only stay hot for a specific period, just ask Eric Bieniemy. Johnson is betting on himself to extend the positive momentum. If he had any lingering doubts upon joining the Commanders, that could have caused unnecessary complications.

This needs to be an aligned vision with everyone on the same page. Johnson was the preferred candidate for many - myself included. That doesn't mean other options weren't equally as capable of leading the Commanders into an exciting new era. Someone willing to take on such a significant challenge with unrivaled commitment.

Johnson wasn't quite at that stage just yet. It's disappointing, for sure, but the need for someone to come into the head coaching job and give absolutely everything to the cause is far more important.