It seems that the Washington Commanders’ coaching search is almost over, with two names emerging as the leading candidates.
According to Connor Orr from Sports Illustrated, Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is scheduled to have a face-to-face interview on Tuesday, as stated in reports. If this interview goes well, Johnson will have the opportunity to secure the job, as he was initially considered the top candidate.
Johnson appears to be the leading candidate for the head coaching position and has a good chance of securing it after his in-person interview on Tuesday. He is widely regarded as the top offensive candidate and has long been associated with Washington. It seems that his values align well with the new direction of the organization.
Johnson has emerged as a highly sought-after candidate during the coaching hiring phase, having interviewed for almost every available position. As the offensive coordinator, Johnson’s leadership saw the Lions secure fifth place in points scored in consecutive seasons. Quarterback Jared Goff also thrived under Johnson’s guidance, achieving over 4,000 passing yards in back-to-back years while recording an impressive 59 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions.
In addition, Orr highlighted that Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, went through an extensive second interview for the head coach position with the Commanders. Slowik not only played a crucial role in the growth of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, leading to the Texans seizing the AFC South title and securing a playoff victory but also shares a strong bond with the Commanders’ recently appointed general manager, Adam Peters, from their past collaboration with the San Francisco 49ers.
Slowik spent five years in San Francisco, starting in 2017 and working his way up to offensive pass game coordinator. During the same period, Peters held various positions in the 49ers organization, including vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager, before Washington hired him. Additionally, Slowik had previous coaching experience in Washington from 2010 to 2013.
It appears that Slowik’s interview with the Commanders received positive feedback, with some enthusiastic reviews. Additionally, Slowik and new Commanders GM Adam Peters share a connection through their affiliation with the San Francisco 49ers. The second interview between Slowik and the Commanders seemed to be quite extensive.
The fact that the Lions will be playing against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday is also worth mentioning. If Johnson can lead the team to a powerful offensive display against the 49ers, that could greatly impress Peters and solidify his position.
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