Ben Johnson’s rise through the NFL coaching ranks has been fast — but now, the praise surrounding him is reaching another level entirely.
According to one well-respected NFL voice, Johnson may be the best head coaching hire the league has seen since Sean McVay. It’s a bold statement, but one that’s gaining traction as teams and executives continue to study what Johnson has built in Detroit.
Johnson’s offensive fingerprints are impossible to miss. His schemes are creative without being reckless, aggressive without abandoning balance. More importantly, his system adapts to personnel — a hallmark of elite coaching. Quarterbacks thrive under him, playmakers are maximized, and defenses are constantly forced to guess wrong.
What truly separates Johnson, though, is how prepared his units look week after week. Situational football, red-zone execution, and in-game adjustments have become strengths rather than liabilities. Those traits mirror what made McVay such an immediate success when he took over the Rams.
Around the league, decision-makers are quietly circling Johnson’s name, viewing him not just as a “hot candidate,” but as a potential program builder — someone who can change a franchise’s direction quickly.
Whether or not he ultimately matches McVay’s early success remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Ben Johnson is no longer just an intriguing option. He’s being discussed as the kind of coach teams believe can redefine their future.
And when comparisons like this start coming from respected NFL minds, they usually aren’t made lightly.
Why a Respected NFL Voice Believes Ben Johnson Is a Franchise-Changing Coach
