Ben Johnson coaching landing spot rankings: Predicting Bears or Jaguars?

On January 19, 2025By Littum

The Detroit Lions may be dealing with a brain drain as their postseason run ends.

The two most important assistants on the field, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, are considered top candidates for the five head coaching jobs still remaining. Johnson and Glenn have been instrumental in the Lions’ 15-2 season after returning to their roles for their third and fourth seasons, respectively.

Johnson’s offenses have ranked in the top 5 in scoring since he took over in 2022, but his group reached a new level this season, averaging an NFL-leading 33.2 points per game. match. In addition to his reputation as one of the most creative and detailed playcallers in the league, Johnson has played a hand in player development all over the field, particularly with quarterback Jared Goff.

Johnson has almost interviewed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears and has reportedly been asked to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson also interviewed the New England Patriots, who opted to hire Mike Vrabel on Sunday instead. The other two openings, the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, reportedly did not request to interview Johnson.

Here’s a quick ranking of the three openings available for the Lions’ offensive coordinator and a quick prediction of where he’ll be heading into the 2025 season.

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3. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders eventually fall because of their quarterback situation. Las Vegas went with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew in 2024, which went as poorly as expected, especially after Minshew suffered a season-ending broken collarbone.

There were a few bright spots on offense, including first-team All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers, who set several records as a rookie. Tre Tucker and Jakobi Myers were a fine receiving tandem when Devante Adams was traded to the New York Jets. But they lack a game-changer in the running game and a quarterback to distribute the ball.

Defensively, top talent like Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins were injured this season, and the back seven has players like linebacker Robert Spillane, corner Jack Jones and safety Tre’von Moehrig. Spillane and Moehrig will be free agents this offseason.

The Raiders have 10 draft picks, including No. 6, in the 2025 draft. According to OverTheCapThe Raiders have the second most effective cap space at $85.7 million.

2. Chicago Bears

The Bears entered 2024 with huge expectations, but completely imploded mid-season and canned Matt Eberflus after a baffling loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving.

On offense, the talent is there with the former no. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback and two good receivers under contract in DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Defensively, the group declined as the season went on, but has talent on that side of the ball with players like Montez Sweat, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon.

Part of the reason the Bears were so bad, though, was the trench game. Williams was the most sacked quarterback in the NFL, and former Lions running back D’Andre Swift disappointed after joining as a free agent because of an offensive line that looked like a colander at times.

However, hope remains because of the talent still there, a lot of cap space this offseason and eight picks in the upcoming draft, including the No. 10 in total. According to OverTheCap, The Bears have $54 million in effective cap space for 2025.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars blew away preseason expectations and own the fifth pick in April’s draft in Green Bay after going 4-13.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled before suffering a season-ending injury that put the team on edge even more while the defense was 27th in points allowed and second to last in total defense.

There is talent on both sides of the ball, but overall still too many holes. Lawrence still has the pedigree as a top pick and a true no. 1 option in receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and the defense has two good edge rushers, Josh-Hines Allen and Travon Walker (who went No. 1 overall ahead of the Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson in 2022), but the offensive line, secondary and skill players need attention.

The Jaguars have 10 picks in the 2025 draft, including six in the first four rounds, thanks to trading left tackle Cam Robinson to the Vikings. According to OverTheCap, Jacksonville has $27.9 million in effective cap space this offseason.

Ben Johnson head coach hire prediction

In 2025, Johnson will be coaching the … Jaguars.

Back in December, Johnson said he had a “burning desire” to find out what he’s made of as a head coach and was waiting for the right opportunity.

If the Lions go far again in the playoffs, that time appears to be now. The Bears are reportedly going full-court press to woo Johnson, but the leadership that has sunk previous regimes remains in place, which feels like a massive barrier. Jacksonville still has Trent Baalke, a GM who seemingly specializes in winning power plays more than winning games, but the Jaguars feel more inclined to shake up the front office if necessary. However, there is still a very real possibility that Johnson will return to Detroit given the opportunities at hand combined with his love for the city and the organization.

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for Detroit Free Press. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22and email him at [email protected].