Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the top candidate on the market as the Bears search for a new head coach, said Wednesday his job interviews have gone “great” and he’s more prepared in this hiring cycle than he was in the last two.
Johnson tried to limit conversation about the head-coach openings during his media availability and steer it toward the Lions’ playoff game against the Commanders on Saturday.
When asked what are his key factors in deciding on head-coaching opportunities, he said, “I see what you’re doing, and I’m not taking it.”
“I’m going to stay focused on the main thing right here, and that’s going to be the Washington Commanders,” he continued. “That’s what we’re about. (Coach Dan Campbell) asked me about how it went this weekend. It went great, and that’s the end of it. The focus right here and now for the players, for the coaching staff and for everybody in this building is about this game this week.”
The Bears were one of those interviews and talked to him Saturday. Johnson also has interviewed with the Patriots, Raiders and Jaguars and reportedly turned down an invitation from the Jets.
He did indulge one question about his approach to interviews and acknowledged he’s in better position for them this year.
“This go-around, I’ve been a lot more prepared for the types of questions that they’ve been asking,” Johnson said. “I’ve also changed my frame of mind a little bit. Instead of worrying solely about the offense… I’ve been able to have offseasons and summers to think about big-picture view of what a program would look like. In that way I’m a lot more prepared for the questions that that come my way and I’m much more comfortable answering them.”
Of particularly interest this week, the Lions-Commanders game is on Fox and NFL legend Tom Brady is on the broadcast crew. Brady also is part-owner of the Raiders, and there’s widespread speculation about Brady exploiting his position as an analyst to continue recruiting Johnson in person this week.
When asked if he’s allowed to talk to Brady in-person leading up to the game — the NFL restricts teams to virtual interviews with him at this stage — Johnson wasn’t sure.
“I know nothing of that nature,” he said. “I met him at the Packers game on the field. I saw him on the field for a second. That’s the first time I’ve ever met him. That’s it.”
Johnson, 38, has been the Lions’ offensive coordinator since 2022. They finished, in order, ninth, eighth and first in points scored during his three seasons.
