For weeks, there were rumors swirling that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson would be the next head coach of the Washington Commanders. However, Johnson declined the position, leading to speculation that he was not the “lock” for the job as many believed and that his “asking price spooked some teams.” Unfortunately, these reports did not give Johnson a chance to respond and did not provide any details about his supposed “asking price.”
During a press conference, Johnson addressed the false narratives that emerged after he declined the Commanders’ offer. He acknowledged that it’s a common aspect of life in the NFL and expressed concern for his family having to read inaccurate information about him. When asked if he wanted to correct anything in the reports, Johnson declined, indicating that he was content with the situation. While it is commendable that he chose to take the high road, sometimes it may be necessary to defend oneself against misleading information.
The circumstances surrounding Johnson’s decision suggest that the team that initially portrayed him as their top choice had to save face and create the impression that they got their first choice, even if that wasn’t the case. A well-functioning organization would not allow false impressions to be created about their top choice or disparage someone who decided not to pursue a job opportunity with them. It is important to handle these situations with professionalism and integrity to maintain positive relationships and reputations in the industry.
