The Washington Commanders coaching search is the longest of the 2024 NFL offseason. With only two head-coaching vacancies remaining, it appears the Commanders’ organization may already know who will be head coach in 2024.
After firing head coach Ron Rivera, Washington worked quickly to create a new foundation for football operations. After years of receiving interest from across the NFL, Adam Peters was named the new Commanders general manager.
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Peters, formerly the San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager, is one of the top talent evaluators in the NFL. He’s credited for scouting some of San Francisco’s best finds on Days 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft. While the Commanders had the new architect of their roster, they still needed a head coach.
The Commanders coaching search has brought in an array of candidates with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn interviewed. However, Washington might already know who its next head coach will be with a reveal just days away.
Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports that the talk during Shrine Bowl practices this week is that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be named the Commanders’ head coach once Detroit’s season ends.
Johnson is one of the top NFL coaching candidates over the last two seasons. Multiple teams have wanted him, including the Carolina Panthers. However, much like Peters, Johnson was waiting for the right opportunity before leaving the Lions.
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It appears the Commanders will be his new team. While Washington is still meeting with other potential candidates, it is expected to interview Johnson face-to-face next week after the NFC Championship Game. Following that interview, movement toward his official hiring is expected to move quickly.
Johnson would be walking into an excellent situation. The Commanders already have an excellent receiver duo with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, providing their eventual play-caller with an even better pass-catching tandem than he had in Detroit. Johnson and Peters would then get to choose which quarterback they want with the second overall pick, likely choosing between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.
For a franchise that hasn’t recorded a playoff win in nearly two decades, landing Johnson and Peters would be a massive step forward. Once a team that was only known for controversies and disappointment, the Commanders will have an opportunity to have one of the best NFL offseasons in 2024 if they enter next season with Peters, Johnson and Maye or Daniels.