Commanders, Seahawks' Top HC Targets After Ben Johnson Returns to Lions as OC

One of the leading candidates for the Washington Commanders' and Seattle Seahawks' head coaching jobs is reportedly off the market.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson informed the Commanders and Seahawks on Tuesday that he is returning to his role as the Lions' OC in 2024.

Johnson was arguably the hottest head coaching candidate remaining, but Washington and Seattle must go back to the drawing board.

Here is a look at some of the top options still available who have already interviewed with the Commanders and Seahawks for their vacancies.

Washington Commanders

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ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 08: Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) talks with offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons on October 8th, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, some viewed Johnson as the "presumptive favorite" for the Washington job, but he cited sources saying that wasn't true. The Commanders have done a thorough search since the firing of Ron Rivera and have several other candidates to choose from.

ESPN's John Keim noted that the Commanders have interviewed Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Ravens assistant head coach and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

Macdonald, Weaver and Glenn all opened up for second interviews this week after the Ravens and Lions lost in the AFC and NFC Championship Games, respectively, and any of them could be hired by the Commanders or Seahawks immediately.

The vast majority of Washington's coaching candidates are defensive coaches, which is the background Rivera had as well.

Even with Rivera in place, the Commanders went 4-13 and ranked last in the NFL in points allowed with 30.5 per game. They also struggled offensively, ranking 25th with 19.4 points scored per game.

Hiring a defensive coach would perhaps allow Washington to keep Eric Bieniemy in place as offensive coordinator, but it is unclear if he is the right man for the job.

Since second-year quarterback Sam Howell didn't firmly establish himself as the quarterback of the future in 2023, Washington very well may use the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft to select a quarterback such as USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels.

If that is indeed the plan, Slowik stands out as the best candidate due to what he did with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud in Houston this season.

In Slowik's first year as OC, Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions, and the Texans won the AFC South and a playoff game.

If the Commanders plan on drafting a rookie QB, it is difficult to think of a better fit to coach him up than Slowik.

Seattle Seahawks

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 31: Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during the first half of the game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

Following the shocking decision to part ways with Pete Carroll after he served as head coach for 14 seasons and won a Super Bowl, the Seahawks have been searching for their next head coach.

Per Schefter, Seattle has interviewed Slowik and Quinn, just like the Commanders, plus they have interviewed Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported that the Seahawks are interviewing Macdonald on Tuesday, and he called Macdonald "one to watch."

Rapoport said Macdonald has been "dynamic" and likened him to the defensive version of Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. Rapoport also noted that it is telling the Seahawks were willing to wait to interview Macdonald until after the Super Bowl if the Ravens had won the AFC Championship Game.

The Seahawks already have several talented pieces on offense in quarterback Geno Smith, running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, and wide receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, so it can be argued that the offensive side of the ball doesn't have to be coached up as much.

Defensively, the Seahawks ranked 25th in 2023 with 23.6 points allowed per game, so improvements are clearly needed.

Macdonald and Quinn are the two candidates who stand out most, and the choice will boil down to how much the Seahawks value experience.

Macdonald has never been a head coach and has just two seasons of NFL DC experience, plus one year as DC at the University of Michigan.

Quinn has spent five seasons as an NFL defensive coordinator and was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons, reaching the Super Bowl once.

Perhaps most significant is the fact that Quinn was on the Seahawks' coaching staff from 2009 to 2010 and was their DC from 2013 to 2014, winning one Super Bowl during that time.

Quinn has deep ties to the Seahawks, but moving on from Carroll suggests they want something new, so Macdonald has to be considered the best option.