The thing is DC is becoming one of the best HC this team has ever had. He has won the hearts of the players, the upper leadership, and the fans. He is the Lions general, emotional leader and has created an amazing atmosphere for ex players who want to come and coach. Even you see ex players who are just wishing they could lace ‘em up again to play for DC.
We have seen pretty much EVERY OC/DC under Belichik fail after leaving the Pats. Some in horrible fashion.
Yes there is always an evolution with coaches moving up and moving on, but there also has to be a point where how valuable a coach especially an OC can be to the team and your players. SOL would just let good coaches walk. Maybe the New Lions organization rewards and keeps valuable assets and could draw more free agents in the future.
Obviously ego does play into it all and sometimes people want to see it as the ultimate promotion to get the chance to run their own team.
Point 1:) by the time we get to next offseason Shane Waldron rather than Ben Johnson will be the hottest young OC.
My reasoning:
1:) Seattle’s defense is going to be bad. They’re going to be in a lot of shootouts. They have the horses to put up crazy numbers.
2:) we’re still at peak “go find your McVay/Shanny clone”. McDaniels’ success will only exacerbate the trend.
3;) like Ben he’s a really, really good offensive coach particular in the passing game. I do think there’s reasons to think that Ben’s approach might better lend itself to complimentary football but I’m skeptical owners will care about that.
4:) he’s worked for and learned from Hoodie, McVey and Carroll. Owners will eat that up
Point 2:) I don’t believe this offseason will have that many openings. Most of the bad situations have coaches in year one and will likely offer those HCs more rope.
Out of jobs that I could see opening up there are only a few that would scare me…
NYJ? Doubt it.
Chicago? Doubt it.
San Diego? I’d think they’d opt for Kellen, in fact that may happen mid season.
Washington? Maybe. I think Harris is viewed as a serious and competent owner. It’s near Ben’s family (provided they’re still in and around NC). It’s a decent roster BUT QB? I think this would depend on how viable he viewed their potential QB solution to be.
Cleveland? I think this would be a real threat. I could see him thinking Kevin isn’t even doing what DeShaun does well and believing that if he fixes Watson that’s a SB contender. A long history of organization dysfunction could potentially be the saving grace.
I think those are probably the five jobs that come open barring something unforeseen. Perhaps I’m missing one or two
I’m not sure why they didn’t name him Asst HC after Deuce left?
That would allow them to give him a little more.
I have no malice towards Scotty, but, is he really more valuable to this team?
I really like Waldron too. I don’t know that there will be much of a hierarchy between him and Ben, but I agree he’ll be one of the hot, young coaches for a lot of the reasons stated.
I think Washington, like the Denver job last year, would give me pause. You never know what a new owner’s gonna be like. Can’t be worse than Snyder, but could still be bad. Honestly that was my issue with Indy and Carolina last year too.
No way he goes to Chicago, even if they get the first pick. I think Cleveland will be really good this year so that one won’t even come open. Not sure he’d want to work with Deshaun or for their dumb owner either.
Of the ones you listed LAC would be the only one I would consider (desirable city, non-meddling owner, QB in place), but as you say, Moore may have already secured the job.
If the Saints sputter at all this year I could see them looking for a new coach, and it’s a good spot, but seems like AG would be more of a candidate. Unless they’re looking offense.
The one that would worry me the most is Dallas. You never know when Jerry will fire a coach, but I think McCarthy has to at least win one game this year in the playoffs. Otherwise he’s gone. And while working for Jerry isn’t great, the pull of the Cowboys is strong everywhere.
Yup, probably too early to speculate, but Chicago will likely be open. Same with Vegas. Wash. If Dallas doesn’t get beyond the first round, I see that opening up.
I don’t think anyone should discount the chance of him going certain places. All it takes for some is simply backing a giant truck of cash up to his house.
That Chicago job looks better when you’re the highest-paid coach in the league.
I think it also depends on how the Lions finish this year. Let’s say they win the division. Bye Wild Card weekend, win the divisional round at home but get smacked around in the conference game. Might leave a bad taste in his mouth that he wants to erase. Some folks are just wired like that. I don’t know if Ben is one of those people; just throwing it out there.
IMO, Ben’s biggest strength is progressive play calling…setting em up…not only from beginning of game to late game, but in setting up other teams with what he leaves on film. brilliant
It’s a strength for sure. I don’t really know what he’s like in terms of perpetration and what not. He’s bright and hard working so I’m sure that he’s great there as well.
