Top Chargers head coach candidates not named Jim Harbaugh, ranked

2. Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson has been the hottest coordinator name on the market and for good reason. The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator has raised that side of the ball to new heights with Jared Goff under center and he absolutely should be appreciated for the offensive mind that he is.

Johnson has done remarkable things in Detroit and the possibilities are limitless in a Johnson offense led by Justin Herbert. Some Johnson naysayers point out that Detroit has a great offensive line and good weapons as the reason why the Lions are thriving but that does not give credit to Johnson.

Just look at what the Lions have done this season. First of all, the team has turned two rookies in Sam LaPorta and Jahymr Gibbs into big-time contributors. Yes, both guys are very talented and they deserve credit, but it can be really hard in the NFL to get production like that out of one rookie, let alone two.

Second of all, look at the receivers that have blossomed under Johnson. Amon-Ra St. Brown is great but he wasn't always projected to be a WR1. In fact, St. Brown's production really took off in the second half of his rookie year with Johnson calling plays. Johnson has been a key part of St. Brown's development as a pro. That matters.

There should be no concerns about his offense translating to the Chargers because it would. The only potential concern is whether or not he can be a leader of men as a head coach, as great coordinators don't always make out great head coaches. That is not to say that Johnson can't do that, but we just have no way of knowing until he does it.