Now the Chargers want to interview both of the Lions’ coordinators, too

ALLEN PARK — If you needed any more evidence of just how well-regarded the Detroit Lions rebuild is, just look at all the teams already lining up to speak with their coordinators.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders have requested interviews with both Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, while the Carolina Panthers have also requested an interview with Johnson according to NFL Network. That’s three interviews for Johnson and two more for Glenn, all of which have come just hours after the final weekend of the regular season.

Interviews can take place virtually as soon as next week, per the new NFL rules. No in-person interviews are allowed with NFL assistants whose teams are still alive in the playoffs until Jan. 22.

Detroit hosts the Los Angeles Rams in a wild-card game on Sunday night at Ford Field.

“Yeah, look, I mean both of them know – they know this, it’s all about us right now, and it’s about the team, and they’re very much invested in this team,” head coach Dan Campbell said. “Their opportunities will come. You can’t do anything this week. So, it’s just that. Stay focused on what it is right now, and that time will come if you interview with these organizations.

“Of course, I want that for them, but it’s about us right now. And look, both of those guys are worthy — more than worthy — to be head coach candidates. I don’t care where you’re at. They are two of the best that you’re going to find, I believe that. But until then, they’re with us and I don’t want to lose either one of them, but that’s the way it goes.”

Johnson was always expected to be a hot commodity. He took over the Lions offense last year and immediately led the team into the top five in total offense, then landed virtual interviews with three of the five teams looking for head coaches last winter. Carolina wanted to fly him into Charlotte for a second interview, and Johnson — a North Carolina native who played quarterback for the Tar Heels — initially agreed before eventually withdrawing from consideration

You don’t usually don’t see guys turn down NFL head-coaching jobs to remain a coordinator. It happens, but it’s rare. Why did Johnson turn down the opportunity to go home, and the immense financial windfall that would have come with it?

“Talked to my wife about it, and we just came to a really good decision of, ‘Hey, you know, we’re happy where we are. We love where we are. We love being in Detroit, love the people here,’ and just decided then to go ahead and put the brakes on it right now,” Johnson said. “Just wasn’t the time for us.”

Why not?

“I think some people — I can just speak on a personal level — some people, they really want to climb as fast as they can,” Johnson said. “I know particularly young coaches want to do that. That’s not been the case for me, per se. I want to be around football. I want to win football games. I want to be around good people. And when I finally had a chance to step back and take a deep breath and look at it, that was the most important thing.”

Now Johnson has won big. The Lions finished the regular season 12-5, matched the franchise record for victories in a season and captured the NFC North for the first time. Johnson has been critical to that success too, designing another top-five offense that ranks among the top-five teams on both the ground as well as through the air, joining

That was expected to make Johnson one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in the league, and now he’s landed three more interview opportunities, including yet another shot with his home-state Panthers.

And just like Johnson promised, Glenn is receiving a lot of due interest too. The third-year defensive coordinator has drawn interviews from multiple teams each of the last two offseasons, due largely to his reputation as a players’ coach who connects well with the locker room and makes guys better. Now the production is starting to catch up to the reputation. The Lions are No. 2 against the run this year while making major strides against the pass, due largely to schematic and personnel decisions made down the stretch.

Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson became a Pro Bowler this year and ranked second in the league in pressures, while defensive tackle Alim McNeill and linebacker Alex Anzalone both enjoyed career seasons. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu has broken out too after being inserted into the starting lineup last month, showing major development under Glenn’s tutelage.

only the San Francisco 49ers in that feat this season.