Lions’ Ben Johnson abruptly pulls out of heading coaching search after ‘spooking’ team with price tag

Ben Johnson is going to run it back.

The Lions offensive coordinator is turning down potential opportunities to become a head coach to stay in Detroit, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

The 37-year-old was considered a frontrunner to fill the Commanders’ vacancy and was also a candidate for the open Seahawks job after being a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year for a second straight season, though he may not have helped himself with his financial demands.

“Ben Johnson was not the head-coaching lock that people thought and his asking price spooked some teams, per sources,” ESPN insider Adam Schefter wrote on X.

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported in late December that Johnson was seeking $15 million per year, though his agent denied it.

The Lions were en route to on a jet to meet with Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in Detroit when they were made aware of the news, according to Schefter, who also noted that the abrupt decision was “surprising” those in the league.

He was reportedly a favorite for the Panthers job last year among his five interviews before pulling out of consideration.

Johnson has guided the Lions’ star-studded offense since being promoted in 2022, ranking first in yards per game (387.4) and fourth in points (26.9) since.

His squad posted 31 points in a season-ending NFC championship game loss to the 49ers, who allowed just 17.5 points to opposing offenses during the regular season.

The Jared Goff-led offense played a major role in the franchise winning a playoff game for the first time since 1991 — and added a second postseason victory for the first time since 1957.

Johnson figures to continue being a hot name in the coaching market when next season’s firings begin, continuing his rise.

He was a walk-on quarterback at North Carolina, where he got a degree in math and computer science. He got his coaching start at Boston College in 2009 as a graduate assistant before joining the NFL ranks with the Dolphins in 2012.

He worked his way up to receivers coach in Miami in 2018 before joining Matt Patricia’s Lions staff in 2019. Dan Campbell retained Johnson when he took over and has quickly made a difference in Detroit.