As the NFL playoffs progress, the impact of head coaching interviews on coordinators’ performance has come under scrutiny. While only those involved can truly assess whether these conversations were a distraction, the speculation surrounding the issue has intensified. This became particularly evident after the Detroit Lions, who finished the regular season with an impressive 15-2 record and secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed, were unexpectedly eliminated by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round. Following the loss, some Lions fans expressed frustration with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, suggesting their focus on interviews diverted attention from critical game preparations.
Ben Johnson, who interviewed with multiple teams including the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas Raiders during the Lions’ bye week, accepted the Bears’ head coaching position just two days after the playoff defeat. Despite his offense accumulating 521 yards and scoring 31 points, Johnson faced criticism for a pivotal decision in the fourth quarter. With his team trailing by ten points, he opted for a trick play that resulted in an interception thrown by wide receiver Jameson Williams, a move that former quarterback and current broadcaster Tom Brady deemed “gimmicky” and poorly timed. Conversely, Johnson’s innovative play-calling did yield some success earlier in the game, with Williams executing a 61-yard touchdown on a double reverse.
On the defensive side, Aaron Glenn also navigated a busy interview schedule with teams such as the Bears, Jaguars, Raiders, Saints, and Jets. Despite his defense conceding 38 points and 481 yards to the Commanders, the Lions were missing key players, including cornerback Amik Robertson, who was injured in the first quarter. Other coordinators in the league, such as Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, have also been active in the interview circuit, raising concerns among their respective fan bases about potential distractions. However, Moore insisted that his preparation for games remained unchanged despite his interview commitments. As the playoffs continue, the balance between pursuing career advancements and maintaining focus on the field remains a critical challenge for these coaches.
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