Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is staying in the NFC North as the new head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Johnson, along with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, are two of the leading candidates for head coaching jobs in this year's hiring cycle. Johnson was hired by Detroit in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach and served as the tight ends coach in 2020-21 and the passing game coordinator in 2021. He's been Detroit's offensive coordinator the last three seasons.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week he expected both Johnson and Glenn to be hired as head coaches and though he expected to lose both, he wouldn't allow it to affect Detroit's push for a Super Bowl next season.
"It can't, right? It can't – can't allow that to happen," he said. "That's my job, is to replenish and find the next man up and the guy who's going to give us the best chance to have success on both sides of the ball."
Campbell said the next coordinators could potentially be internal candidates already on staff or candidates possibly outside of the organization. He said he'll be looking for the right fit in Detroit.
"I think we've got guys on staff that I think are more than qualified and would be outstanding in those roles, but that does not mean that I'm not looking outside either," Campbell said.
"So, I want what I believe is going to be as close to what we have been as possible, and we don't lose what we're about and our identity. We're going to stay true to who we are, and if you're somebody that doesn't feel comfortable with that, then no, I don't – this isn't the job for you.
"I'm not going to be in a hurry, I'm not in a mad dash. No matter what happens I want to do what's right by our team and what I believe is going to – those guys will be able to stand in front of that room and command respect and get everybody going in the same direction and will, ultimately, deliver the same message that I'm delivering."
