Ben Johnson braced for A-Lister heat if he departs Detroit for Commanders

Ben Johnson is bracing himself for some A-Lister heat if he becomes Washington Commanders' head coach as many anticipate.

All eyes are on the second interview between Ben Johnson and the Washington Commanders. Widely regarded as the frontrunner to secure the coveted vacancy, the potential switch away from the Detroit Lions is also catching the attention of an A-Lister closely associated with the NFC North outfit.

A star-studded hiring committee consisting of Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters, Magic Johnson, and others will run the rule over Johnson on Tuesday. If all goes well, it would be a surprise if Washington didn't confirm his appointment in the hours after.

This has been an almost consensus opinion around the NFL for some time. It's the reason many other potential suitors went in different directions last week. The Seattle Seahawks were the only team willing to compete with the Commanders for Johnson's services. Whether they are a more attractive destination at this juncture is another matter.

If Johnson leaves the Lions, there will be a gaping hole that needs to be filled. The offensive coordinator has been instrumental in galvanizing the career of quarterback Jared Goff. He's maximized every available weapon at his disposal and created blocking concepts that have allowed a talented offensive line to become one of the league's best.

Eminem threatens diss record if Ben Johnson joins the Commanders

It wasn't enough to get Detroit to its first-ever Super Bowl after a second-half collapse against the San Francisco 49ers. With changes looming, head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged this might have been their only shot despite displaying notable improvements since he took charge.

This situation is also being monitored closely by Eminem, a lifelong Lions fan. During an interview by ePro Team, the legendary rapper hinted that Johnson can expect a diss track coming in his direction if he ends up joining the Commanders based on comments via Sports Illustrated.

"Ben Johnson, if you leave us, diss record is coming."

- Eminem via Sports Illustrated

This seemed like a tongue-in-cheek remark. It's also a telling sign of the esteem in which Johnson is held by fans, players, and coaches alike.

One doesn't have to look far for praise where Johnson is concerned. He's an innovator. He's a leader. He knows how to build relationships and listen to his players. He's adaptable within a scheme that can switch course at the drop of a hat.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like a head coach to me.

It's been a long time since the Commanders had legitimate hope for the future. If Harris can land the most coveted head coaching candidate in addition to securing Peters to lead the football operation, this offseason would be better than anyone thought possible.

Others are also under consideration until something becomes concrete. Adam Schefter of ESPN's belief that Johnson's appointment might not be clear-cut caused a stir, but everything seems to be pointing in that direction barring a drastic, late change of heart.

If this scenario finally becomes a reality between Johnson and the Commanders, we'll wait with bated breath for Eminem's diss track. More importantly, Commanders' fans can rest assured this storied franchise is on the right path to potential prosperity.