NFC Championship coaching development should scare the Dallas Cowboys in a major way
The NFC East is shaping up to look quite different in 2024 for a variety of different reasons. The Dallas Cowboys specifically are shaping up to look the same after their decision to run it back but could lose defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to a head coaching job in the next few days. Meanwhile, the […]
The NFC East is shaping up to look quite different in 2024 for a variety of different reasons. The Dallas Cowboys specifically are shaping up to look the same after their decision to run it back but could lose defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to a head coaching job in the next few days.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles are bolstering their coaching staff by adding coordinators Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore.
But perhaps even more interestingly, the Washington Commanders could be about to make one of the best hires of this head coaching cycle after what should've been a scary sight for Cowboys fans. Let's dive in.
Lions OC Ben Johnson could be headed to the Commanders
Prior to the NFC Championship game between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, I made the case for the Commanders to hire Johnson as their next head coach.
On Sunday, he did nothing but help his stock versus the Niners despite a heartbreaking playoff loss as he called a great game, starting off with a 42-yard touchdown where he took Nick Bosa and Fred Warner out of the play with a reverse that put the Lions up 7-0.
That was only the beginning as the Lions offense excelled throughout the game and saw its biggest struggles take place due to execution with a couple of huge drops and Jahmyr Gibbs' fumble standing out.
Watching the game unfold in the building was former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers, who is assisting the Commanders in their head coaching search.
Johnson is additionally set up to interview with Washington on Tuesday and he's reportedly the top candidate for the Cowboys' division rival.
"Johnson has been, with little debate, viewed as the top offensive candidate who would be a first-time head coach," wrote Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr last week. "He has been linked to Washington for some time."
The Commanders happen to own the No. 2 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft the same year that Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are available at quarterback. With a new ownership preaching a modern way of building an NFL team, it makes all the sense in the world for them to seek an offensive minded coach over a defensive one like the Baltimore Ravens' Mike Macdonald. I'd place a good amount of money on Johnson heading to the NFC East. Both Johnson and Macdonald are set up to interview with Washington and the Seattle Seahawks.
What Johnson was able to do on Sunday is a scary sight for the Cowboys if he does join the Commanders.
That would mean an NFC East rival with a (potential) solid head coach and a (likely) great quarterback prospect starting next season. Since now they have a good ownership group backing the team, too, Washington could be on its way to become a threat the Cowboys can't overlook.
Cowboys: Where does Trey Lance fit in future plans?
It’s not clear at all.
