The New York Jets find themselves in the market for a new head coach following their decision to part ways with Robert Saleh earlier this year. However, it appears that one prominent candidate has already taken himself out of the running.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after head coaching prospects available. Yet, as the Jets organize their slate of interviews, it seems Johnson won’t be among those meeting with the team.
As reported by Diana Russini of The Athletic, the Jets have decided against submitting a formal interview request for Johnson.
“The New York Jets are not expected to put in a formal request for Lions OC Ben Johnson. They are expected to have interest in Lions DC Aaron Glenn,” Russini shared in a post on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.
Russini further explained that the Jets’ decision stems from Johnson’s apparent lack of interest in their head coaching vacancy.
“Ben Johnson has made it very clear he’s not taking interviews with every organization looking for a HC. If the Jets had a better quarterback situation, there would be more interest,” she added.
Johnson’s apparent rejection of the Jets led to a lot of reactions on social media.
“Didn’t he also demand an insane amount of money last year and ended up going back to Detroit? This guy is a diva,” one fan wrote on X.
“I wouldn’t want Ben Johnson if was the last option out there! He will fail no matter where he goes if he every decides to let go of security blanket and leave the Lions,” another person wrote.
“Who does this guy think he is?” someone else said.
“He’s not interested in the Jets,” another person said.
“Ben Johnson might be a great Head Coach but I don’t like this kind of stuff. It makes him out to be a bit of a prima Dona. Or at least that’s how it comes off,” someone else added.
“So it sounds like Ben Johnson essentially is not entertaining the Jets job at all. Good for him!,” another person added.
Needless Johnson does not seem to be an option for the Jets. We’ll have to see who they end up with instead.
