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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been previously linked to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ potential open head coaching position, and now more news has connected him to the team, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
“He will be selective in this process, and he won’t take an interview with a team he knows he doesn’t want to coach for,” Jones wrote. “Sources say there has been mutual interest with Chicago, but many have thought Jacksonville is the best fit for Johnson.”
Jones also wrote that Johnson and ex-Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel “are the consensus two top candidates this cycle.”
It’s hard to ignore the smoke connecting Johnson and the Jaguars. This report on 1010 XL / 92.5 FM Radio emerged Friday.
1010 XL / 92.5 FM @1010XL
“Ben Johnson wants this job if it becomes available.” đź‘€
Are the Jacksonville #Jaguars the leaders in the Ben Johnson sweepstakes…and would a Jags LEGEND be coming along with him?
Former Jaguar Greg “The Mangler” Huntington joins @Ballou1010xl to give the inside scoop on the… pic.twitter.com/PLRDmRY0sw
There was also this note from NFL analyst Chad Forbes:
Chad Forbes @NFLDraftBites
Ben Johnson to Jaguars is the worst kept secret in the NFL. It’s a done deal. It’ll be one of the Lions Executives or Ben’s pick for GM.
7-$80M https://t.co/SObRlyjRRp
And then ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently remarked that the Jaguars could be considered a better option for Johnson than the Chicago Bears, who have been heavily connected to the Lions’ OC.
“Perhaps Jacksonville — with a weak division, a roster with some talent, no state income tax, small-market scrutiny and great weather — is the best option,” Fowler wrote (h/t Sonny Guiliano of ClutchPoints).
And Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote this in response to a reader who asked about the Jaguars’ coaching job in 2025.
“Jason, I think the Jacksonville Jaguars could be the Johnson team,” Breer responded. “If they are, I think that Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark would be a name to watch. But that’s an educated guess at this point. And, no, [owner Shad Khan] can’t just run it back.”
Doug Pederson remains the Jaguars’ head coach, but his name has been on the hot seat all year amid a 4-12 campaign in his third NFL season with the team. The Jags did go 9-8 with an AFC South title and a playoff win in year one, but last year saw a 1-5 finish en route to a 9-8 mark that did not lead to the postseason. The slide has continued this year.
Johnson was a hot name last coaching cycle but stayed in Detroit. He’s previously been linked to the Bears (who are without a head coach after firing Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29) by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, who said the Lions’ OC is interested in the job and is willing to listen to offers.
It’s clear Chicago has competition, though, in the form of Jacksonville.
