Commanders Learned Ben Johnson Was Withdrawing Coaching Candidacy by Social Media

The Washington Commanders have an all-time rejection story to tell future generations.

Last week, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson reportedly backed out of the Commanders head coaching job while the Commanders brass were on a flight to Detroit for an interview.

Johnson’s decision was considered “surprising” at the time, per Adam Schefter’s sources. Imagine how surprised the Commanders were to find out about it over social media, of all places.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Commanders first found out on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Johnson was staying with the Lions.

“Washington’s party of five then boarded for Detroit, and found out over the in-flight WiFi on X that Johnson had pulled out of their search,” Breer wrote on Monday. “Minutes later, a text that the Lions OC sent at 12:45 p.m. to inform the team of his decision came through.”

Johnson was heavily rumored to be one of the Commanders’ top head coaching candidates this offseason, making the snub all the more painful. Washington still landed in Detroit to meet with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, yet the franchise doesn’t seem completely over Johnson’s untimely rebuff.

In a recent article by The Athletic, a league source close to the situation called it “outrageous…That’s not how you conduct business. It is how you ruin your reputation.”

Johnson was further lambasted for his critique of the Commanders’ new ownership when he called Josh Harris, Magic Johnson, and David Blitze “basketball guys.”

The Commanders pivoted to hire Dan Quinn one day later and will hope for less drama and more success as they usher in a new era.