Jared Goff One of 'Biggest Reasons' Ben Johnson Returned to Lions

Ben Johnson has a solid bond with Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has forged a solid bond with quarterback Jared Goff. 

After one season at the helm of running Detroit's offense, Johnson became one of several hot candidates to potentially secure an NFL head coaching position. 

Through constant communication and learning about each other's strengths and weaknesses, Johnson and Goff built a relationship that has paid dividends. 

Johnson can relate to the struggles experienced by Goff, as he also dealt with professional turmoil, after being fired by Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins. 

“He’s one of the biggest reasons why I didn’t want to leave,” Johnson saaid of Goff, via The Athletic. “I feel we are tied together to a degree. He’s an extension of me, and I’m an extension of him. I’ve told him multiple times that his success is my success, and vice versa.”

Johnson is back at the helm, and the offense is expected to thrive again in 2023. 

Goff, 28, is in the prime of his NFL career. After battling through tough experiences professionally, the veteran signal-caller is now in an environment that fosters professional growth. 

“I know anything I say to him will be taken pretty seriously,” Goff says. “He really values my opinion and cares about what I’m saying. That’s huge for a quarterback.”

Goff has earned significant autonomy at the line of scrimmage, which is more than Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay allowed. 

In one offensive package, Goff is tasked with reading the defense, and has the autonomy to choose one of five different plays. 

Despite their tight bond, Detroit's signal-caller has the inclination that Johnson will become a head coach in the not-too-distant future. 

Goff noted, “I’ve been around a handful of great coaches who became head coaches in the league, and he reminded me of them."