Head coach Doug Pederson helped the Jacksonville Jaguars rebuild after the Urban Meyer debacle but he's left much to be desired as of late. That's why nobody will be surprised if the Jags move on from him. If that's the course of action the team decides to take, they could set their sights on Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The only issue is that he's going to be a hot commodity in the next hiring cycle, and as such, he'll get to pick from a robust list of suitors.
Adam Schefter of ESPN made an appearance on Get Up and said that Ben Johnson will be picking when it comes what team he'll choose as his destination in 2025.
"Ben Johnson is going to be very, very selective about the place he chooses to go if he decides even to leave Detroit," Schefter said. "He's going to be very careful. I don't know that he desires to leave that division, to head in the division, to go to a place that you're talking about the dysfunction that has existed within that organization. We'll see, that's up to him, but I believe he's going to be very selective in how he approaches, how to do his business."
Schefter goes on to say that Johnson is going to be sought after and he'll be interviewing with the intention of taking that job.
"He will be , but just because there are going to be, let's just say eight openings this year, and let's just say eight teams have him on their wish list doesn't mean he's going to be interviewing with eight teams. I think if Ben Johnson is interviewing with anybody this year, he's interviewing with the intent that he's going to take that job."
On the future of Lions OC Ben Johnson… pic.twitter.com/z1Z5xcF4LZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2024
Johnson began his coaching career at Boston College in 2009. He made the transition to the pros when he joined the Miami Dolphins as their offensive assistant in 2012. The South Carolina native worked his way up before leaving to take an offensive quality control job with the Lions in 2018. Once again, he moved up the ranks and became the Detroit offensive coordinator in 2022.
With Johnson leading the offense, the Lions ranked fifth in points scored in the NFL in both 2022 and 2023. However, he saved his best work for this season, as the Lions lead the league in points scored and rank seventh in total yards.
Granted, head coach Dan Campbell runs the show in Detroit but gives his offensive coordinator full autonomy and allows him to operate however he sees fit. That's why he was one of the most coveted head-coach candidates in the past hiring cycle and once again will be next year.
Why the Jaguars will have trouble courting Ben Johnson in 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars have yet to dismiss Doug Pederson but they might be based on his underwhelming record dating back to last year. After going 8-3 to start the 2023 season, the Jaguars have won just three of their last 15 games. That falls on both Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke. The former for not getting the most out of his players and the latter for not doing enough to address the roster needs in the offseason.
For the sake of argument, let's say Jacksonville does move on from Pederson, they will also need to get rid of Baalke. After all, he's got a reputation for being difficult to work with in league circles and his presence could turn off prospective head-coaching candidates. But even if the Jags do move on from their embattled general manager, that might not be enough to land Ben Johnson.
While the Jags have a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, other teams could outbid them for Johnson's services. When it comes to resources, no club can top the Dallas Cowboys. Then again, their current cap situation may scare away the Lions' offensive coordinator and other potential candidates. On the other hand, the Chicago Bears could make a run for him if they give Matt Eberflus his walking papers.
Other teams who could target Ben Johnson are the New York Jets and the New Orleans. Both of them have an opening after dismissing Robert Saleh and Dennis Allen respectively.
The bottom line is that Ben Johnson will have no shortage of suitors in 2025 and the Jacksonville Jaguars will have their work cut out if they want to have a shot at landing him. But based on his work with the Detroit Lions, landing, whatever the cost is, will be worth it.