LIONS’ JOHNSON STAYS PUT
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.
Johnson was con- sidered one of the front-runners 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.
A person 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. Johnson, whom Campbell has called “a rock star,” broke into the NFL with Miami in 2012 after spending three years as an assistant at Boston College. He worked his way up with the Dolphins to receivers coach in 2018 before getting hired by Detroit and playing a major role in Jared Goff’s growth as a QB.
Last year, Johnson interviewed for the Texans vacancy before they hired DeMeco Ryans.
Smith headed to Pittsburgh
The Steelers are hoping Arthur Smith can turn around an underachieving offense.
The Steelers are nearing an agreement to make Smith their new offensive coordinator, sources told The Associated Press.
Smith would come to Pittsburgh just weeks after the Atlanta Falcons fired him as head coach following three straight 7-10 seasons.
The magic Smith produced while offensive coordinator in Tennessee in 2019 and 2020 — when the Titans finished 12th and then second in total offense — never materialized in Atlanta, which finished in the bottom half of the league in yards and points under Smith.
Notable
The Bills promoted linebackers coach Bobby Babich to take over as defensive coordinator.
Panthers coach Dave Canales has begun to fill out his staff, adding four offensive coaches: assistant head coach/run game coordinator
Harold Goodwin, running backs coach Bernie Parmalee, wide receivers coach
Rob Moore and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert.
The NFL said that viewers will see only three sports betting ads during the Super Bowl broadcast next month, one right before kickoff and two others during the game.