NFL Rumors: David Tepper's Panthers 'Would Love' to Hire Lions OC Ben Johnson as HC

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is a hot candidate on the head coaching market this winter, and it appears he may be atop one NFC team's wish list.

The Carolina Panthers "would love to find a way" to hire Johnson, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"He will have better options than the Panthers, however. The majority of their nine coaching candidates are on the offensive side, and Baltimore's Todd Monken is the only one from that group above the age of 42," Fowler wrote. "A young offensive mind is clearly on the table. Pairing one with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and an analytical-and-cap-based GM makes sense. Five of their eight initial GM candidates come from that ilk."

The Athletic's Dianna Russini previously reported that Tepper wants to hire Johnson, who is said to be "open to the job."

"Owner David Tepper is going to try again for Ben Johnson, according to a league source," Russini wrote. "The play-caller is open to the job and will also be meeting with other teams that are expected to show interest, the source said. There's a sense around the league that general manager Scott Fitterer may help with some of the transition but still may not be safe in his job. Carolina could be starting anew."

Johnson interviewed for Carolina's head coaching position last offseason but declined a second interview request and opted to remain in Detroit for the 2023 season.

The Panthers ended up hiring Frank Reich for the position but fired him following a 1-10 start to the year. The franchise also fired general manager Scott Fitterer following the 2023 campaign.

Carolina's head coaching job isn't as desirable as it once was. The Panthers spiraled to an NFL-worst 2-15 record in 2023, missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season, and they don't even have a first-round pick to show for it.

The Panthers traded their 2024 first-round pick, which is No. 1 overall, to the Chicago Bears last year in exchange for the 2023 first overall pick, which they used to select Alabama product Bryce Young.

Whoever takes on the Carolina head coaching job is going to be under a lot of pressure to turn things around, and considering Johnson is one of the hottest head coaching candidates on the market, the Panthers will face some stiff competition for his services.

Johnson, who has been with the Lions since 2019, was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022.

The Lions had one of the best offenses in the NFL during the 2023 regular season, averaging the second-most passing yards per game (258.9), fifth-most rushing yards per game (135.9) and the fifth-most points per game (27.1).

In part thanks to a strong offense, the Lions finished the season with a 12-5 record, winning the AFC North for the first time since the 1993 campaign.

In addition to the Panthers, Johnson is also drawing interest from the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.