Commanders news: Ben Johnson, Sam Cosmi, Adam Peters and rival tears
By Dean Jones
Ben Johnson's soaring stock
It wasn't just the Dallas Cowboys game that Washington Commanders fans had their eye on over wildcard weekend. Ben Johnson - widely touted to be the frontrunner for their vacant head coaching position - got the opportunity to showcase his credentials in a playoff setting as the Detroit Lions welcomed the Los Angeles Rams to Ford Field.
Johnson's name is the most coveted in this year's cycle. His two seasons as Detroit's offensive coordinator couldn't have gone better. After masterminding another exceptional game plan versus the Rams en route to the Lions' first playoff triumph in 31 years, the price is only going up.
The former North Carolina quarterback schemed things up masterfully. Johnson shining with the playoff spotlight glaring is unlikely to go unnoticed by the Commanders or others around the league looking to make him their next head coach.
Teams can begin virtually interviewing candidates involved in postseason engagements from Tuesday. The Commanders face a fight for Johnson - especially from the Carolina Panthers and their petulant billionaire owner David Tepper - but confidence is high that there is an intriguing enough plan in place to land preferred targets.
With the likes of Bob Myers, Magic Johnson, Josh Harris, and Adam Peters likely involved in their upcoming meeting with Johnson, it'll be a hard proposition to turn down. But make no mistake, Tepper is about to throw a potentially record-breaking contract in his direction to get his guy.