The New Orleans Saints will have a new head coach in 2025. It could be current interim HC Darren Rizzi, but if not, there are plenty of notable candidates for the upcoming hiring cycle.
Tom Pelissero, a noted NFL insider, discussed a plethora of candidates for open HC jobs in an article this week. He detailed their current job, potential landing spot requirements, and plenty more.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was mentioned. Johnson was a candidate for HC spots last offseason but chose to stay with Dan Campbell in Detroit. There will be plenty of interest in him again from teams this offseason as well, though. Will he leave the Lions?
Ben Johnson requirements
Pelissero noted that Johnson is not looking for the “perfect” opportunity in a job to leave the Lions, but there are expectations for his new team. He simply wants alignment and a chance for long-term success, according to Pelissero.
A former walk-on QB who earned math and computer science degrees at North Carolina, Johnson has established himself as one of the brightest minds in football. He was a coveted candidate during each of the past two hiring cycles, interviewing for seven jobs (Chargers, Colts, Commanders, Falcons, Panthers, Seahawks and Texans) before ultimately deciding to stay put. He isn’t necessarily waiting for the “perfect” opportunity — Johnson just wants to know there’s alignment and a chance for long-term success. Otherwise, he’ll stick with a job, team and city he loves in Detroit. Johnson coached quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends before becoming the Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2022, giving him a good feel for the whole picture. And he is more prepared now than ever before to run his own show. The Lions’ video game numbers — including 52 points and 645 yards in this past Sunday’s rout of the Jaguars — certainly help Johnson’s cause. He’ll be among the top candidates again. — Tom Pelissero
That may not be as easy to come by in the NFL as you would think.
Power struggles among staff and front office happen all of the time in pro sports, including football. Johnson wants to land somewhere where he knows that they want to win and are focused on that task.
It all sounds obvious, but these aspects make certain jobs more appealing than others from the inside.
Future in New Orleans
Is Johnson a fit with the Saints, given those parameters?
I would lean towards yes, but it is a bit blurry. General manager Mickey Loomis was a massive supporter of Dennis Allen, even though it was clear that the team was headed in a downward trajectory with the veteran coach. Owner Gayle Benson had seen enough, though, and New Orleans moved on.
That does prove a bit of the confidence that she has to get the organization back on track. She did not see Allen working out in the long-term and pulled the plug.
Not to mention, long-term success is a more likely outcome if Johnson lands in New Orleans than short-term success. Their salary cap situation is manageable but difficult, and the quarterback position remains up in the air past this season.
Derek Carr could be the starter in 2025, but there’s a possibility that both sides agree to move their separate ways with so many moving parts happening elsewhere with the franchise. A new coach could want to being in his own starting QB, too, including Johnson if he chose the Saints.
Regardless, Johnson will be the biggest fish in the head coach hiring sea this offseason. We will see if New Orleans is on his radar once this season concludes.
