Commanders news: Ben Johnson, Martin Mayhew, Terry McLaurin and taking stock
By Dean Jones
Commanders criticizm for Ben Johnson situation
The dust is beginning to settle on Ben Johnson's decision to spurn the Washington Commanders' advances and remain with the Detroit Lions. He feels like there is unfinished business, which is fine. It also seems to have put Josh Harris' vaunted hiring committee on the back foot after learning about developments whilst in the air en route to their meeting with the coveted offensive coordinator.
Options are limited for the Commanders as the NFL's only remaining head coaching vacancy. It'll be interesting to see which direction they go. Aaron Glenn, Anthony Weaver, and Dan Quinn are the remaining shortlisted trio to choose from. There is also the prospect of looking outside the box if those in power feel like it's the best thing to take Washington forward.
Thom Loverro from the Washington Times didn't hold back in his skepticism of Johnson's decision. He also laid blame at the Commanders' door for their lack of awareness regarding this particular candidate.
"Does Ben Johnson realize the Lions have never played in a Super Bowl? Does he know the Lions haven’t won an NFL championship since 1957? Who knows what will happen next year or beyond? By then, the 37-year-old Johnson may not be the golden boy genius of coaching vacancies like he has been for the past two seasons. Stuff happens. Nobody is promised tomorrow. It’s really not a good look for Josh Harris’ celebrated search committee either. You would expect the connection of consultant Rick Spielman with Detroit — his brother Chris is the CEO of the franchise — should have helped the Commanders be aware of Johnson’s thinking. Now they lost another candidate. Mike Macdonald, the hot young defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, flew to Seattle Wednesday and took the Seahawks job. Maybe they should have made that search committee bigger."
- Thom Loverro, Washington Times
Whether the Commanders put all their eggs in Johnson's basket is debatable. But it's piled unnecessary pressure on the new regime just a few short weeks into their tenure.