Commanders news: Rick Spielman, Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn and QB inevitability
By Dean Jones
Ben Johnson lauded
All eyes will be on Ben Johnson this afternoon as he looks to spearhead the Detroit Lions offense to another impressive playoff showing. Something that could lead the NFC North team to their first conference championship game in a generation.
Johnson is unsurprisingly one of the hottest coaching names in this year's cycle. The play-caller is reportedly high on the Washington Commanders list of targets after meeting virtually with those in power on Friday. He's also spoken to the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and Seattle Seahawks in recent days.
Of course, Johnson spurned down advances last year to remain with the Lions. Dan Campbell praised this decision during his latest media availability via USA Today Sports. Something he believes has made the coordinator more prepared for the upcoming promotion that awaits him.
"It’s a credit to him, man. Not many people would do that. But that’s how he viewed it. It’s an experience for him. It’s a chance to grow, and it’s a chance to grow with people that he appreciates being around. I think it’s made him a better coach. You learn things as you would being in that position, yeah. There’s that, but I think it’s made him a more well-rounded coach. I just think everything has grown. I think he’s got a very good grasp of what we do [with] roster management. I think when you do that, and you get in that, and it’s like, ‘OK, there could be a next step. I’m not ready for that. In my head, I don’t want to do that yet. Yes, I’m a better coordinator,’ but it’s also……he’s starting to look for and ask these questions about roster, game-day, building a team, what you’re looking for, front of the room. And I think it served him well."
- Dan Campbell via USA Today Sports
Johnson will likely have his pick of jobs when the time to make a final decision arrives. The Commanders look like a project worth being part of. However, the fierce competition from others means this is far from a done deal just yet.