Ben Johnson got a lot of attention as a possible head coach possibility after just one season as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. After his second season in 2023, it seemed inevitable that he would get a job.

But, shockingly, that didn’t happen. Johnson chose to stay in Detroit for at least another year, and he will now be in his third season as the offensive coordinator for the team.

What made Johnson decide to stay in Detroit instead of moving on?

Johnson talked about staying with the Lions for the first time since it was decided he would. On Thursday, he said that one big reason he was staying was to keep winning in Detroit.

Johnson said, “So in 2021 and early 2022, he told the team that we were sailing down the ocean and at that very moment, we were in the Arctic.” “We were running into icebergs, there were storms, and it was dark.” However, he could see ahead of time where we were going and where we were moving. “Guys, I see where we’re going,” he told us. The results aren’t quite there yet, but the Caribbean is coming up soon. It’s almost time. As I sit here on the plane, I remember that. I’ve spent a lot of my time living in the Arctic. This is my second trip to the playoffs, and the first time I’d won a game in the playoffs. If I had to choose, I think I would have liked the sun for a little longer. “I like what we’ve made here.”

Johnson also said that when he does become a head coach, he wants to be in the right position. As it turns out, that situation did not come up this time.

Johnson said, “Listen, there are a lot of reasons and dynamics that play a part.” It really hits home for me that there were eight jobs last year. How many people will still have jobs in three years? What is the over-under? The odds are 4.5 to 1, and I think five of them will be unemployed in three years. So, from that point of view, if I have the chance to go that way, it’s about how to get to that second deal. How do I get ready? Things need to line up. I’m not going to do it just because I can. I really enjoy what I’m doing now. When I’m with my family, we all love where we are and the people we’re with. I won’t go down the other road until I’m sure I know how it will turn out.

He also said, “It’s ownership, it’s staff, and it’s my vision of how I can make it work with who I am.” “Like, I love calling plays.” I’d want to be a play-calling head coach if I became a head coach. Okay, so there is only so much time during the week. What will it look like from Monday to Sunday in that way? I just want to make sure everything is set. And listen, everyone who gets that job has to go through a time of getting used to it. They’re picking things up as they go. But I believe you have the best chance if you set more goals that you are proud of. Someone and I were just talking about this the other day. They said, “Man, the longer you’re the coordinator chair, the better you’re prepared for the next step if it ever comes down the pike.” For me, I don’t think I’m hurting my chances or my skills to become a head teacher in the future. “I love what I’m doing now.”

The fact that Johnson chose to stay with the Lions while the Washington Commanders were on a plane going to meet him again was one of the stories that came out of his campaign.

After, Johnson got a lot of bad press, which he was used to after it was said that he made big requests in his contract. He also talked about that and said that many of the rumours that were going around were not true.

“I thought there were some false stories going around,” Johnson said. “They started around the end of last year, before I decided to pull out.” “That’s just the way things are.” That’s fine with me. That’s just how things are in the NFL, so it doesn’t bother me. I care about the people around me. It makes me sad that my family would read things that aren’t always true, but they did a great job with it. In that case, help staff is there.

“I think it helps me sleep at night to know what happened, how it happened, and why it happened.” That’s fine with me. The people I care about most also know who I am and what I’m about. That’s why everything is okay.

Anyhow, that doesn’t really matter in the end. If Johnson keeps doing well like he has the last two seasons, he will be liked in Detroit and teams will keep looking for him when spots come up.

• Mike Moraitis

First, Mike Moraitis worked for Bleacher Report. Since then, he has written about the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Along with his work at Sporting News, Mike is also the chief editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.