Lions star discusses Ben Johnson’s unexpected comeback
Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, surprised everyone by choosing to stay in his current position rather than take on head coaching duties. His message is evident, at least to one Lions star.
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown stated in his weekly podcast, “St. Brown Brothers,” that he had a conversation with Johnson on Tuesday prior to the offensive coordinator making Johnson’s comeback official. Johnson expressed his desire to remain in Detroit and his sense of “unfinished business” to St. Brown.
“You did an interview, so what’s up with you, like, are you leaving?” I ask. According to Josh Alper’s transcription on Pro Football Talk, St. Brown said. “You know what, I’m heading to the facility right now,” he said. He claimed that he had trouble falling asleep the previous evening. After giving it some thought, he declared, “There’s unfinished business.” He desires to remain. His heart is in Detroit, he declared, and he intends to stay. Thus, he disclosed that to me while traveling to the facility.
If the Lions had lost the NFC Championship in a different way, Johnson might have felt differently, but instead they let San Francisco lead 24-7 at halftime. Maybe that’s what made it too difficult for Johnson to leave at this point.
According to certain reports, Johnson’s lack of success as a head coach was due to financial difficulties. The talk of “unfinished business” may be a smoke screen, but Lions supporters will take that as the explanation no matter what.
