Los Angeles Chargers interview Ben Johnson for HC vacancy

The Los Angeles Chargers made a move at head coach before the 2023- 2024 season was over, parting ways with former head coach Brandon Staley. We have now started the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, and they have yet to name their head coach for next season and are still conducting interviews. On Saturday, the Chargers brought in one of the top offensive minds this season to interview for their head coaching vacancy in the Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson.

The offensive spark that Johnson brought to Detroit this season is something Los Angeles is in much need of despite having the weapons to do so. The Lions finish the regular season fifth in points per game, scoring over 30 points in more than half of their competitions this season, 8-17. Johnson‘s play-calling ability also allowed the joy to finish the year with over 4000 yards passing and 2000 yards rushing for the first time in the history of the franchise.  

How Ben Johnson is dealing with the busy schedule

Johnson reportedly also has interviews scheduled with the Commanders, Chargers and Seahawks this weekend. Between an upcoming matchup against the Tamp Bay Buccaneers and fatherly duties, Johnson has had to squeeze in any interviews.

“Well, the truth is, it gets taken away from somewhere and so it gets taken away from my family a little bit,” Johnson said in his Thursday press conference. “It’s not the easy thing to say, but normally Fridays, get home, I can pick my daughter up from school and we’re wrestling downstairs and doing whatnot, and we’ll have to skip that this week.”

Before any coaching interviews, Johnson is focused on creating a winning game plan for the Lions.

“I know it’s still a very fluid situation and truth be told, we’ll find out more once the gameplan’s done,” Johnson said. ”That’s been told to everybody I’ve been around. Nothing’s more important than the gameplan.”

Johnson isn’t the only staffer in Detroit that is being pursued. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is also a hot name in head coaching searches. Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t concerned about the upcoming interviews interfering with his coordinators’ focus.

“I know this about both of them: Man, they are 100 percent team-oriented,” Campbell said. “They’re all about the team, they’re all about this plan, they’re all about those players in that room and the other coaches around them. That’s where it all starts for them.”