PFT Assistant Coach for 2024: Ben Johnson

We had it stumblebum.

In fact, he was with us before that.

Back in October, a former coach texted, unsolicited, about the Lions’ offensive coordinator: “Does Ben Johnson get the credit he deserves? He’s been the best offensive mind in football the last three years. Everyone else is second best.” And I mean far away.

And so Johnson is the 2024 PFT Assistant Coach of the Year.

This may be the last time he is eligible. He’ll have opportunities for 2025 as a head coach, if he wants one. It seems practical about the pitfalls of accepting the wrong job. Maybe, in the end, it will stay where it is.

Before he’s gone, he might win a Super Bowl. With him gone, the Lions will have a hard time replacing him.

Others worthy of attention include Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who has turned one of the most ineffective and predictable defenses in football into one of the most effective and unpredictable over the past two years. He, like Johnson, should have options in 2025.

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, in his second season with the team, has gotten a better performance from quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Ditto for Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who led Josh Allen to the brink of an MVP award.

And we can’t forget Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who recently had a brilliant game plan for over-defending against the Vikings.

Each will receive interviews for head coaching positions in the current cycle. As they should.

However, the next level is completely different. They have all mastered the level they currently occupy.