NFL Rumors: Insiders Feel Ben Johnson May Stay With Lions; HC Talk is not ‘Leverage’ | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is one of the most coveted coaching candidates on the market for the third year in a row, but he could reportedly opt to remain in his current role once again.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Johnson is not guaranteed to take a head coaching position this time around, as he has historically shown resistance to parting ways with the Lions.

“Some people I talked to around the league think Johnson might come back to Detroit. And it doesn’t seem like a game,” Fowler said. “That’s where he’s been the last two cycles and it could be the case again if his ideal head coaching destination isn’t there.”

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported Wednesday that Johnson scheduled virtual interviews with the Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots on Friday and the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. Every team has their own level of intrigue, but Johnson has never been in a rush to transition from offensive coordinator to head coach.

The 38-year-old said that Dave Birkett of Detroit Free Press in May that he won’t leave Detroit unless he finds the right situation.

“I don’t want to do it just to do it. I love what I’m doing right now. Love it. Love it. I love where I’m at. My family loves where we are,” Johnson said. “Love the people we’re doing it with, and so I’m not willing to go the other way yet unless I feel really good about how it’s going to turn out.”

If Johnson chooses to leave teams at the altar again this hiring cycle, many fans will be disappointed to miss out on the chance to have one of the most innovative offensive minds coaching their team.