4 guys Lions OC Ben Johnson could bring with him if and when the Raiders hire him
Where there's smoke, there tends to be fire, and there seems to be some smoke billowing from the idea that Detriot Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be taking the head coaching position with the Las Vegas Raiders. While I personally still have some reservations about his departure, it is beginning to look increasingly likely […]
Where there's smoke, there tends to be fire, and there seems to be some smoke billowing from the idea that Detriot Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be taking the head coaching position with the Las Vegas Raiders.
While I personally still have some reservations about his departure, it is beginning to look increasingly likely that this will happen.
With that in mind, I began to wonder what that could mean for the rest of the Lions coaching staff. Any time a guy leaves to take on a head coaching job, he almost always brings some people with him. Dan Campbell brought Aaron Glenn with him for example. Who will Johnson bring from the Lions? Here are four guys that are likely to travel with him:
Offensive line coach Hank Fraley
This is very likely to be Johnson's offensive coordinator right here. There were rumors last year that if Johnson took the Commanders job, he was likely to bring Fraley along for that role. That probably hasn't changed.
Fraley has been an integral part of the Lions' offense in the last three seasons and has had the Lions' offensive line humming the entire time. He would be a tough loss for Detroit, but a guy deserving a bigger role. Fraley also interviewed for the Seahawks job this month.
Assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett
Barrett has been a big part of the Lions' running specials for the last three years. Johnson credited him and two others for helping him come up with some ideas and installing everything into the offense. He could be Johnson's passing game coordinator or his quarterbacks coach.
It might be the latter since Johnson has had Barrett working with Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery to " learn what backs are being taught in protection so that when he has his own quarterback room, that transition is seamless."
Assistant receivers coach Seth Ryan
The son of Rex Ryan is moving up in the coaching world, and this is likely to be his next big jump. Ryan is one of the three coaches Johnson credits with helping install and develop specials for Detroit. He could be Johnson's receivers coach or take over the passing game coordinator role.
Assistant special teams coordinator Jett Modkins
This guy is beyond ready to be a special teams coordinator. He's been on the job as an assistant for the Lions since 2021. He's helped produce two All-Pro special teams players and has been credited a lot by Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp as someone who has been a critical part of this team's success in this phase.
Modkins interviewed for the 49ers special teams coordinator position earlier this week.
4 guys Lions DC Aaron Glenn could bring with him if and when the Jets or Saints hire him
The Detroit Lions are pretty likely to lose both of their coordinators this offseason. As the weeks have gone by Aaron Glenn's name has gotten hotter and hotter in the coaching search and it's about time this has happened. The two teams that he's been linked to the most are the New York Jets and […]
