Lions OC Johnson staying put despite coaching market buzz
DETROIT — Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has decided to stay with the team and turn down potential opportunities to be an NFL head coach next season, leading the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks to turn to other candidates.
Two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Johnson informed teams he would not be leaving the Lions. They spoke on condition of anonymity because Johnson's plans had not been announced.
Johnson was considered one of the frontrunners for the Commanders in their widespread coaching search and he also interviewed twice with the Seahawks, most recently in person Monday. He was scheduled to talk to the Commanders on Tuesday.
One of the people familiar with the situation said the Washington brass is still meeting with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Johnson, 37, and Glenn helped coach Dan Campbell and the Lions win twice in the same playoffs for the first time since winning the NFL title in 1957 and reach the NFC championship game for the second time in team history and first time in 32 years.
This was Johnson's second season running
Detroit's offense after serving in various coaching roles the three previous seasons.
Stroud added to Pro Bowl roster
C.J. Stroud, the rookie quarterback who led the Texans to their first playoff appearance in four years and led the NFL in passing yards per game, has been added to the 2024 Pro Bowl roster.
The NFL announced that Stroud will be a replacement in the allstar showcase after Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes advanced to the Super Bowl. Stroud is the first rookie quarterback to make the Pro Bowl since New England's Mac Jones in 2021.
Title games draw record audience
The television audiences for the NFL playoffs and last Sunday's conference
championship games are the highest on record, going back to 1988.
The Kansas City Chiefs' 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens averaged 55.47 million on CBS, making it the mostwatched AFC championship game ever.
The San Francisco 49ers' 34-31 comeback victory over the Detroit Lions on Fox averaged 56.69 million, the mostwatched NFC championship game since 2012.
Odds and ends
The Steelers are set to hire former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their new offensive coordinator, ESPN reported Tuesday . ... Joe Horitz has agreed to terms to become the Chargers' general manager . ... The Bills promoted linebackers coach Bobby Babich to take over as the team's defensive coordinator Tuesday.