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Former 2-time Panthers HC candidate Ben Johnson staying with Lions (again)

We already knew the Carolina Panthers weren’t landing Ben Johnson again last week, when they officially announced the hiring of new head coach Dave Canales. Well, now we know that nobody is going to land him.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero on Tuesday afternoon, the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator has decided he wants to remain the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. This is now the second consecutive offseason in which Johnson, a presumptive favorite for a number of head-coaching gigs, has turned away outside interest.

One of those head-coaching jobs he had been favored for was based in his old stomping grounds. The Charleston, S.C. native and University of North Carolina product was reportedly the apple of Panthers owner David Tepper’s eye since last year.

But, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson’s asking price “spooked some teams.” CBS Sports senior NFL insider Josina Anderson reported back in December that the 42-year-old was seeking “at least or around” $15 million per year.

Johnson, following Detroit’s Conference Championship Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers, remained a head-coaching candidate for the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks.

Story originally appeared on Panthers Wire