The New England Patriots are acting quickly to find their next head coach. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots have submitted a formal request to interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Johnson has been a popular candidate in the head coaching cycle for the last two seasons. As a veteran coordinator with the Lions, he’s been instrumental in helping Jared Goff helping Jared Goff succeed in Detroit.
Johnson has worked through the ranks, joining the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach. He was promoted to tight ends coach before officially becoming the main play-caller in 2022.
Under his watch, the Lions have consistently been a top-5 unit in the NFL. This past season, Detroit ranked first in points scored, second in passing yards, second in total yards, and sixth in rushing yards.
The 38-year-old began coaching as a graduate assistant at Boston College before becoming their tight ends coach. Then in 2012, he was hired by the Miami Dolphins and was named an offensive assistant. He stayed with the organization until 2018, holding titles such as assistant wide reccivers coach and head wide receivers coach.
Johnson attended UNC Chapel Hill as a walk-on quarterback for the Tar Heels. He competed with T.J. Yates for the quarterback job before graduating in 2008.
Throughout the last two seasons, the popular offensive coach has had significant interest from the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their head coaching job.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Patriots aren’t planning to hire a search firm, with Robert and Jonathan Kraft leading the head coaching search.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
