ALLEN PARK, Mich. – When Ben Johnson faced the question, he skillfully sidestepped it.

The innovative offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, who has been a sought-after coaching candidate in the NFL for three consecutive years, reacted carefully when asked about taking one of the open head coaching positions around the league.

“I understand what you’re getting at, but I’m not discussing that,” Johnson responded at a news conference earlier this week.

Recently, during the Lions’ bye week, the 38-year-old participated in online interviews with the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

This week, however, he is fully focused on preparing for Detroit’s playoff game against the Washington Commanders this Saturday. Johnson is determined not to use his platform to send hints to potential future employers, especially with six head coaching opportunities still available in the league.

“I’m concentrating on the task at hand, which is the Washington Commanders. That’s our priority now. I told Coach Dan Campbell that I had a productive weekend, and that’s where it ends. Our players, staff, and everyone in this facility are focused on this week’s game,” he asserted.

And rightfully so. Nevertheless, Johnson and fellow Lions staff member Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator, are two of the leading coaching candidates who are balancing their pursuit of Super Bowl aspirations while also considering future job opportunities.

Glenn interviewed with the Bears, Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets during the bye week, and he seemed untroubled by the process. Having been through this before has equipped him with the experience needed to handle the situation. He and Johnson are familiar with what the interview process entails.

Johnson noted, “This time around, I’m more ready for the questions they’re asking. My mindset has also shifted. Instead of concentrating only on our current offense, I’ve had the opportunity during offseasons and summers to reflect on what it would be like to run a team.”

The Lions’ coordinators, like those from the Kansas City Chiefs, Steve Spagnuolo and Matt Nagy, benefited from having a bye week. This aligned with NFL rules that required virtual interviews to be completed by the previous weekend.

However, as the playoffs continue with eight teams still in the running, several other candidates from playoff teams face a more challenging schedule as they prepare for crucial games while also managing interviews.

This has sparked discussions as the NFL has implemented policies in recent years to slow this process down. The need for improvement is highlighted because the best candidates often come from successful teams, while the coaching vacancies are with teams that didn’t make the playoffs, wanting to get ahead of their rivals.

For candidates who have dedicated their careers to attain these rare NFL opportunities, presenting themselves effectively is essential. Yet it also feels unfair to shortchange the current team that is striving to progress in the playoffs.

Both offensive coordinators preparing for the AFC clash between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills – Todd Monken and Joe Brady – had interviews scheduled as the game approached. Similarly, Kellen Moore, the Eagles’ coordinator, conducted a virtual interview with the Dallas Cowboys on Friday.

No interviews were allowed for those coaches last week as they geared up for their playoff openers. Now, with their teams moving forward, the pressure intensifies.

“The system is unfortunate, but it’s the reality we face,” stated Monken in Baltimore. “I’m excited for the game against the Bills; that’s where my focus is.”

Yet, it raises valid concerns about whether interviews detract from the coaches’ energy and focus needed to help their teams succeed this weekend, which could actually bolster their cases for promotions.

This leads to frequent discussions about pausing head coaching hires until after the Super Bowl, although little progress has been made on that front. It’s unrealistic to expect a team that concluded its season at the end of Week 18, or fired its coach mid-season, to delay hiring a new coach for weeks. Notably, the NFL scouting combine kicks off just two weeks after Super Bowl 59, launching the process for the upcoming draft.

“I’m not sure there’s an easy fix, or they would have already done something about it,” remarked Monken.

Indeed, finding a simple solution is difficult.

Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator for the Commanders, has decided on a different strategy. Kingsbury, who has received requests for interviews from at least two teams, has postponed any discussions until the Commanders are either eliminated from the playoffs or finish their run in Super Bowl 59. While this could mean missing the opportunity to impress potential future employers, his focus is on the current challenge.

After securing a playoff victory against Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Commanders have a tight schedule with only six days to prepare for their next game in Detroit.

If teams are interested in Kingsbury, they’ll have to be patient.

However, Kingsbury is in a position where he can take his time, as he’s still receiving a significant salary from the Arizona Cardinals, which hired him in 2019 and cut ties after the 2022 season.

Glenn is taking the interview process in stride. He is open to future opportunities but is focused on minimizing distractions with a major challenge ahead in his current role.

“The key takeaway from these interviews is that I’m going to be myself,” Glenn stated. “You either appreciate it or not. If not, that’s fine. I have a great job here. If a new opportunity feels right for me and my family, we’ll consider it. I enjoyed looking into those opportunities over the bye week. But now, we’re all set to play the game against Washington.”

In other words, for now, outside competition is not a priority.

Follow YSL News Sports’ Jarrett Bell on X @JarrettBell.