‘I got my guy back’: Goff thrilled Johnson is returning
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has grown quite close to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
In fact, over the course of the past 12 months, Johnson has become one of the signalcaller’s favorite coaches he has ever worked with.
Last year, when Johnson was named the offensive coordinator, significant efforts were made to tailor an offensive scheme that highlighted Goff’s strengths.
Extensive film review occurred of Goff’s successful run with the Los Angeles Rams in order to identify aspects of Johnson’s scheme that could allow for the 28-year-old signal-caller to take advantage of his experience in the NFL and his vast skill set.
After the Lions’ offense had success in 2022, Johnson became one of the hot assistant coaches that potentially could land a head coaching position.
Luckily for Goff and the Lions, Johnson has decided to return, at least for the upcoming 2023 season.
“I don’t have to learn a new offense, and it means I got my guy back. It means I get to have another year with him at least, and hopefully a lot more,” Goff said on a recent edition of the Slow News Day podcast. “But he’s a guy I have grown so close to, and one of my favorite coaches I’ve had.”
One of the biggest factors that has aided the relationship has been the level of communication between coordinator and player.
In fact, Goff expressed he became increasingly aware of what his coordinator would be calling throughout the course of a game.
“Our communication reached a really good point this year,” said Goff. “It reached a point where we were so much on the same page throughout the game that I knew what he was going to call, and why he was calling it. I think that’s so important for a coach and a quarterback, and it was really helpful. Really, really helpful.”
With only 32 head coaching positions available, it was natural for supporters and many pundits to assume that Johnson would quickly accept a position to lead an NFL team.
When asked why the 36-year-old coordinator would turn down an opportunity to have a second interview with the Carolina Panthers, Goff indicated Johnson is likely to have other opportunities and there is likely a significant amount of faith in Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes.
“I think he knows what we have,” Goff explained. “I think he knows who he gets to coach on offense certainly, and how much belief he has in Dan and where our defense is going, and Brad. I think ultimately he knows those opportunities
hopefully will come again for him.
“Maybe it wasn’t his time. But maybe having his fallback plan be our offense and what we can do offensively is a pretty good plan for him, and certainly we’re happy to have him back,” Goff commented further. “So it’s going to be a fun year, and I’m excited. I know the rest of our offense is excited to keep working with him.”