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.
Ben Johnson's decision had many layers
Media analysts and fans alike immediately started to wonder why Ben Johnson had pulled out of meetings with the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks once the news was confirmed. As expected, there are many layers attached.
Johnson reportedly wants to see if the Detroit Lions can get over the hump and reach the Super Bowl next season. His stock might never be higher than it is right now. It's a calculated risk on the play-caller's part despite the encouraging strides made by the Detroit Lions under Dan Campbell.
Rumors about the financial element of this equation also came to light. Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed that teams were put off by Johnson's asking price. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports touted this possibility way earlier in the process, stating that his representatives were reportedly seeking around $15 million per season to take the jump.
I'm told personnel around the league are discussing their awareness that some Owners have been told #Lions OC Ben Johnson's asking price is at least or around $15M/year for a head coach job, per source. pic.twitter.com/uhX3eqsNQR
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 21, 2023
Whether this is true or not is debatable. It might be accurate considering other potential suitors pulled out in quick succession last week. The Commanders opted to stay the course but were left with egg on their faces.
Dianna Russini from The Athletic also provided an interesting piece of information from the Reese's Senior Bowl. Practices were in full flow when the news broke. The level of surprise among league personnel wasn't as high as you'd think.
On the ground at the senior bowl, word traveled around to the NFL officials all here about Johnson backing out of HC opportunities, and there appears to be less shock about him staying in Detroit than you would think.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 30, 2024
Reactions were over the top from some fans. Others were worried about which way the Commanders would go after Johnson pulled out. With Anthony Weaver and Bobby Slowik also seemingly out of the picture, it could leave them with a choice between Mike Macdonald, Dan Quinn, or Aaron Glenn.
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.