Ben Johnson decided to return to Detroit to remain the Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2024 despite having opportunities to be a head coach elsewhere. He will likely find an acceptable landing spot in 2025 after another exceptional season of calling plays.
There’s a chance both Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will leave for coach Dan Campbell in the upcoming hiring cycle. Several high-profile teams already have coaching vacancies, and more should join them soon after the season.
Here’s looking where Johnson, only 38, can get the big money and be set up in the best position to succeed.
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Ben Johnson’s 5 best coaching fits for 2025
1. Chicago Bears
The Bears need someone who can take Caleb Williams to an elite level to live up to his high upside as 2024’s No. 1 overall pick. Johnson can do that by supporting him better with the running game while also incorporating Williams’ improv and big-play skills. Chicago will be ready to fork out the cash needed to steal Johnson from Detroit, weakening the division leaders at the same time.
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2. Dallas Cowboys
With Mike McCarthy’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, Jerry Jones might be ready to find his wunderkind coach, the one he didn’t get with either Sean Payton or Sean McVay. Johnson would the Cowboys’ offense for Dak Prescott with a revamped running game better setting up the downfield passing game. Jones wouldn’t mind breaking the bank to give Johnson what he wants if he likes what he hears about rebooting plans.
3 Cincinnati Bengals
Zac Taylor isn’t out of a job yet, but there is some concern that he’s lost the team in a completely lost season despite Joe Burrow quarterbacking at an NFL MVP level. If Johnson couldn’t get with Caleb Williams, he needs to look for a more seasoned No. 1 overall pick to lead another dynamic offense. Joe Burrow and Johnson working together is a scary proposition for the rest of the AFC. The only question is whether the Bengals would be willing to splurge on him.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are headed to a big quarterback change in another new offense, and Antonio Pierce is definitely in trouble with some big-game management mistakes in his first full season as head coach. Johnson could take over the play-calling duties from Scott and Norv Turner to restore the running game and downfield passing for a rookie franchise QB, maybe Shedeur Sanders.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jets are a bad fit for Johnson because of the mess they’re in with Aaron Rodgers, but the Jaguars are that sneaky team if they dismiss Doug Pederson because they can be aggressive with his salary while also offering Johnson a chance to go to work on helping Trevor Lawrence live up to his big contract extension. The Jaguars aren’t that far off from getting back on track as a potential AFC playoff team despite their injury-marred record this season.
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