"Almost any Offensive Coordinator in the league could put up big numbers with the talent the lions have on offense" - Colin Cowherd

[Born2BKing]

Does he have a point here? Is the Ben Johnson hype train getting a bit overboard? I myself have always been skeptical of the next white hype talks in the NFL. Remember it was McDaniel? Then at one point Joe Brady, and then Kellen Moore, etc etc. Matter fact when the last time we had a black coach who was the next big thing who everyone wanted?

 

[Th3G3ntleman]

Design is design. It helps for sure to have good players but there have been plenty of talented offenses that haven't been as effective as the Lions under Johnson. If this is the ceiling with quality players it's worth bringing him into the building and seeing if you can get personnel right.

 

[Coli Hoecomb]

Does he have a point here? Is the Ben Johnson hype train getting a bit overboard? I myself have always been skeptical of the next white hype talks in the NFL. Remember it was McDaniel? Then at one point Joe Brady, and then Kellen Moore, etc etc. Matter fact when the last time we had a black coach who was the next big thing who everyone wanted?

It seems Black coaches only get a shot if they are defensive minded, even though its a league geared towards offense. Probably makes it easier to scapegoat them and fire them whenever they see fit

 

[skyrunner1]

I could understand if it was Brady throwing to Moss and shyt but Its Goff at Qb. You still have to deploy your weapons and stay aggressive.

 

[mozichrome]

folks cant wait for Ben Johnson to get a HC job fast forward some years and say "see told you, he wasnt special" if he doesnt have the franchise performing well

he's been getting talked about too much, football world waiting for his downfall

 

[RubioTheCruel]

Ehh.. you can't take away what Johnson has done. I will say that having the best, most physical OL in the league helps a ton.

 

[CrimsonTider]

folks cant wait for Ben Johnson to get a HC job fast forward some years and say "see told you, he wasnt special" if he doesnt have the franchise performing well

he's been getting talked about too much, football world waiting for his downfall

He isn’t special

 

[jetflyinglimousineriding]

It seems Black coaches only get a shot if they are defensive minded, even though its a league geared towards offense. Probably makes it easier to scapegoat them and fire them whenever they see fit

Zero black offensive coordinators and I believe 14 black defensive coordinators. Talking heads like Cowherd pounding the 'only hire offensive minded guys' narrative creates a clear disadvantage when there are not even any black offensive minded guys within that coordinator role.

 

[Street Knowledge]

He’s acting like they are the greatest show on turf

 

[thelonious21]

It seems Black coaches only get a shot if they are defensive minded, even though its a league geared towards offense. Probably makes it easier to scapegoat them and fire them whenever they see fit

 

[manyfaces]

Ben's earned his accolades. It takes more than just talent to consistently have a top 5 offense. Scheme plays a heavy factor. And you add to the fact that the league has seen this team have an effective play for damn near any scenario, regardless of down and distance. Plus you can't talk about it just being talent when the last 2-4 years all the talking heads have been ready to keep Goff in the trash heap. At some point you have to give these guys credit. And with all that being said, none of this guarantees that Ben will be a good head coach, because leadership matters and as a head coach it's the most important factor.

 

[The_Sheff]

Not whoever the Falcons have running the show. I guarantee that.

 

[murksiderock]

He isn’t special

In the 3 years he's been OC, they've had the #5 scoring offense (2022); #5 scoring offense (2023); #1 scoring offense (2024)...

A 3-year run of being the offensive designer and play caller for a consistently Top 5 offense. While I'd agree that we don't know how special he is, I don't think you can outright dismiss him...

Brad Holmes has proven to be an elite team builder, and you have no guarantee he'd have that if he becomes head coach somewhere. What I will say is, the proof of a great coach is getting the best out of whatever talent you do have. There isn't an argument against him on this front, he's been given some great players and he's absolutely maximizing their talents...

So based on that he could be special, but Aaron Glenn is the truly special coordinator. What he's done with this mash unit of players almost all season is the hallmark of a great leader, a guy who understands how to get the most out of what he has...

My concern with Johnson is how he dissed Washington last year, speaks to some responsibility issues. Maybe he's matured in the year since, but walking out on them in the 25th hour like that, is some McDaniels to Indy type shyt, and that's what my concern would be if I was scouting him to be my next head coach...

As an OC I think he's proven his chops...

 

[Panther]

Cowherd doesn't watch games

 

[manyfaces]

In the 3 years he's been OC, they've had the #5 scoring offense (2022); #5 scoring offense (2023); #1 scoring offense (2024)...

A 3-year run of being the offensive designer and play caller for a consistently Top 5 offense. While I'd agree that we don't know how special he is, I don't think you can outright dismiss him...

Brad Holmes has proven to be an elite team builder, and you have no guarantee he'd have that if he becomes head coach somewhere. What I will say is, the proof of a great coach is getting the best out of whatever talent you do have. There isn't an argument against him on this front, he's been given some great players and he's absolutely maximizing their talents...

So based on that he could be special, but Aaron Glenn is the truly special coordinator. What he's done with this mash unit of players almost all season is the hallmark of a great leader, a guy who understands how to get the most out of what he has...

My concern with Johnson is how he dissed Washington last year, speaks to some responsibility issues. Maybe he's matured in the year since, but walking out on them in the 25th hour like that, is some McDaniels to Indy type shyt, and that's what my concern would be if I was scouting him to be my next head coach...

As an OC I think he's proven his chops...

I don't think what he did with Washington is nearly in the same realm as McDaniels and Indy. And we never know what goes on behind the scenes with these situations either, only on what's being reported and who's doing the spinning. What I do believe is that Johnson, after being in an environment where there is a ton of synchronicity, from ownership on down, along with empowerment and autonomy to make decisions as coordinators, he isn't eager to jump into a situation where that is a major unknown or evident that that's not how things are done at another organization. So he's being extremely selective in where he goes or even interviews, because as we see teams will dismiss you just as fast as the press conference was to hire you these days. And if that's a concern then he may just decide to stay where he's at. I don't think that's happening this year though.