With the regular season coming to a close this week, Black Monday is just around the corner for the NFL. Throughout the process, a lot of eyes will be on the Jacksonville Jaguars as many fans are hoping for sweeping changes.
According to Albert Breer of the MMQB, things are trending that way, which means the Jags could start their search looking for a general manager to replace Trent Baalke. After that, their journey to replace coach Doug Pederson would begin.
When it comes to coaching candidates, the clear fan favorite in Jacksonville is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has played a huge role in the team's dominance in 2024. The fanbase's fascination with Johnson is certainly understandable when looking at what Johnson has done to propel quarterback Jared Goff and what he could do to elevate Trevor Lawrence.
Breer recently added fuel to the fire by saying he views Jacksonville as a good fit for Johnson, who is going to be very selective during the upcoming interview process. While the franchise culture has been poor under owner Shad Khan, Breer's belief is certainly warranted as the Jags do have a lot to offer for a coach looking to get into a favorable situation. Let's take an early dive into Johnson's background as changes are on the horizon for the Jags.
Johnson's Background
Johnson's selectiveness certainly isn't a surprise when looking at his NFL coaching career. In his 12 years as an NFL assistant, he's only worked for two teams in the Miami Dolphins (2012-18) and Lions (2019-present). If that doesn't spell continuity, I don't know what does. During his first four seasons as an assistant in Miami, he was on the same staff with current Lions head coach Dan Campbell, and the relationship they built would prove valuable down the road.
During his time with the Dolphins Johnson held many titles, including stints as an offensive assistant (2012), assistant quarterbacks coach (2013-15), tight ends coach (2015), assistant receivers coach (2016-17), and receivers coach (2018). Obviously, this aided him in becoming the offensive mastermind he is now as his current offense is well coached on all levels.
Before Campbell was named the Lions head coach in 2021, Johnson had already been on the staff for a few seasons as an offensive quality control (2019) and tight ends coach (2021). That led to Campbell retaining Johnson on the staff when he arrived in Detroit and their relationship continued as it did in Miami. Campbell's start in the Motor City wasn't as great as he had hoped, which resulted in him firing offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn and promoting Johnson to the role. This decision to make Johnson the offensive coordinator changed the trajectory of the Lions franchise, and they haven't looked back since.
The Lions made it to the postseason for the first time since 2016 last season as the leaders of the NFC North. They also clinched a playoff berth this season, and a Week 18 win against Minnesota would give them the No. 1 seed in the NFC. It goes without saying a big part of the Lions turnaround is thanks to Johnson as he's made Detroit's offense one of the most feared in the league.
A look at the statistics
Of course, if the Jags hired Johnson it would be heavily influenced by the organization's commitment to Lawrence, who hasn't been able to put together the season we witnessed in 2022. A part of that has been his health as he's ended his last two seasons either banged up or on injured reserve, but play-calling hasn't helped. Lawrence also isn't completely blameless, either, as he's had moments of inaccuracy as a result of his mechanics being sped up. However, most would say the organization has failed him more than he has failed it, and when looking at the issues tied to Pederson and Baalke, that's a fair assessment.
When looking at the offense as a whole, the Jags' offensive stats have been downright disappointing and a huge cause for concern, especially the run game. As of today, the Jags are 26th in both total rushing yards (1,616 yards) and net rushing yards per game (101.0 average). Most believe that this is the key to getting Lawrence on track as it would give the unit more versatility.
Meanwhile, the ability to pass or run hasn't been an issue for the Lions under Johnson. The Lions will enter this week second in total passing yards (4,258 total) and net passing yards (266.1 average) after ranking third in both last season. More importantly, the Lions' run game is something Jags fans would die for, as they're sixth in both categories (2,310 total yards, 144.4 average) after ranking fourth and fifth in 2023. They've achieved all of this with a 52.19%/47.81% pass/run ratio in 2024, while the Jags have struggled with a 58.87%/41.13% ratio. When looking at these figures and the success of Goff, Johnson is a candidate who has the ability to make life easier for Lawrence.
The balance displayed by Johnson and the Lions offense led to the team being the first to have two receivers (Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown) and running backs (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs) to reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage. When looking at stats like that, it's easy to see why fans want Johnson in Jacksonville as he could spread the wealth amongst their many skill weapons.
Overall, Pro Football Focus has the Lions graded as the second ranked offense in the NFL (87.8), with only the Ravens ahead of them (90.2). They also have the highest receiving grade (88.5) in the league and the eighth highest rush grade (89.3). Meanwhile, the Jags rank 23rd (70.9), 22nd (70.9), and 19th (77.0), respectively, in each aforementioned category.
Johnson's connections
During the interview process, organizations will quickly find out that Johnson has crossed paths with a lot of assistants in the league. This will be a big plus when building his staff because a coach can only go as far as his support system will allow. Here are some notable assistants who Johnson has worked with:
In Miami with Dolphins
Dan Campbell - Detriot Lions - Head coach
Shawn Jefferson - New York Jets - Wide Receivers coach
Shane Day - Los Angeles Chargers - Quarterbacks coach
Chris Foerster - San Francisco 49ers - Run game coordinator and offensive line coach
Vance Joseph - Denver Broncos - Defensive coordinator
Chris Kuper - Minnesota Vikings - Offensive line coach
John Grizzard - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pass game coordinator
Matt Burke - Houston Texans - Defensive coordinator
Kris Kocurek - San Francisco 49ers - Defensive line coach
Danny Barrett - Houston Texans - Assistant head coach and running backs coach
Bo Hardegree - Tennessee Titans - Quarterbacks coach
Terrell Williams - Detroit Lions (currently on same staff) - Defensive line coach and run game coordinator
Mark Duffner - Cincinati Bengals - Defensive assistant
Dave Fipp - Detroit Lions (currently on same staff) - Special teams coach
Darren Rizzi - New Orleans Saints - Special coach and current interim head coach
John Benton - New Orleans Saints - Offensive line coach
Kacy Rodgers - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Defensive line coach and run game coordinator
Joe Philbin - Las Vegas Raiders - Offensive line coach
Zac Taylor - Cincinati Bengals - Head coach
In Detroit with Lions currently/formerly
Mark Brunell - Quarterbacks coach
J.T. Barrett - Assistant quarterbacks coach
Antwaan Randle El - Wide receivers coach
Hank Fraley - Offensive line coach
Aaron Glenn - Defensive coordinator
Ray Agnew - Assistant general manager
Lance Newmark - Washington Commanders - Assistant general manager
Conclusion
Those who feel Johnson and the Jags are a fit for each other are certainly onto something. Of course, he'd satisfy their biggest need (an offensive mastermind), but Jacksonville is also a good spot for Johnson because of his selectiveness. It's a small market where he can lay low and he wouldn't have to worry about ownership meddling with football operations.
In terms of the roster, there is also a lot to like there. It's rare for a team with a head coaching vacancy to be set at most premium positions, but the Jags check most boxes. On offense, they have their quarterback and No. 1 receiver of the future in Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr. Then on defense, they have their bookend pass rushers of the future in place with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. When adding in additional talents like Anton Harrison, Evan Engram, Parker Washington and Tank Bigsby, it's clear the Jags can compete immediately, although they aren't a Super Bowl caliber team.
The key factor that may prevent Johnson from interviewing with the Jags is the status of Baalke, who has a poor reputation around the league. However, if the Khans make what should be an easy choice to let Baalke walk, Johnson's odds to be their next head coach should see a spike by oddsmakers.