One of NFL's top HC candidates announces he's staying put

The Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks are the only teams with head-coaching vacancies. On Tuesday, one of the league's top head-coaching candidates announced he isn't joining either.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson informed Washington and Seattle that he is staying in Detroit for the 2024 season.

Johnson has been a hot head-coaching candidate after helping lead the Lions to the NFC Championship Game this season. His offense was a big reason why as it was the third best in total yards per game (394.8) and fifth best in points per game (27.1) this year.

The 37-year-old clearly wants another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Detroit, where he has coached since 2019. And he'll still be a highly regarded head-coaching candidate again next year.

It is being reported, however, that Johnson may not have been the head-coaching lock that many believed he was. His asking price "spooked some teams," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Commanders officials were en route to meet with Johnson when the news broke, but they will now shift their focus to Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who the Washington leadership team "remains eager to meet with."

As for head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions, it's a great start to their offseason as it's one less thing for them to figure out.

Detroit must decide what it wants to do with several key free agents this offseason, including safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, guards Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow and wide receiver Josh Reynolds. And then they're hoping to have another home run draft.

The Lions surely aspire to still be playing this time next year after coming up three points short (34-31) against the 49ers in the NFC title game. Having Johnson back will certainly help with that.