Panthers Expected to Attempt to Hire Lions OC Ben Johnson, per Report

Carolina reportedly tried to recruit him last year but couldn’t lure him away from Detroit.

The Panthers are expected to make a run at Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to fill its head coaching vacancy, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Carolina fired coach Frank Reich in his first season at the helm on Monday after a 1–10 start to the season. 

Panthers owner David Tepper will attempt to lure Johnson after trying and failing to land him last year. Johnson elected to stay put in Detroit but is ready for a coaching job this time around, per the report. 

Since 2012, Johnson has held several assistant jobs with both the Dolphins and Lions. This is just his second season as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, and both of his squads have proven to be among the league’s highest-scoring teams. As of now, the Lions are second in the NFL in yards per game (405.5) and seventh in points per game (26.7). 

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches warm-ups ahead of the season-opener against the Chiefs.  :: Junfu Han/The Detroit Free Press/USA TODAY Network

If Johnson were to take this job, it’s likely that his job security could be tied to how quarterback Bryce Young develops. The rookie signal-caller was selected as the top pick in the 2023 NFL draft but his first year has left a lot to be desired, seemingly playing a major role in Reich’s dismissal.