Detroit’s Divisional Round Defeat Raises Questions About Coaching Distractions
Detroit, MI – The Detroit Lions’ dream season came to a disappointing end in the divisional round of the playoffs, and the fallout has sparked a debate about the NFL’s rules regarding head coaching interviews.
Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski is among those calling for change, arguing that the current system can be a “distraction” for teams still competing for a championship. Gronkowski pointed to the example of Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who interviewed for several head coaching jobs during Detroit’s bye week, as evidence that the rules need to be re-evaluated.
“I think there should be a rule that’s implemented for sure because it can be a distraction. The media can try to make it a distraction,” Gronkowski said.
The Lions’ divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders has only fueled the controversy, with star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown sending a stern warning to his former coordinator Johnson, who has since accepted the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears.
“I told him, ‘Two times a year, Ben, we’re going to f— you up,'” St. Brown said on his podcast. “I told him I know all the plays he likes to run. I know all his tendencies, and we were going back and forth messing around.”
Johnson’s quick departure from Detroit has left many wondering if his divided focus during the playoff bye week contributed to the Lions’ defeat. While Lions head coach Dan Campbell and quarterback Jared Goff took responsibility for the loss, the timing of Johnson’s interviews has raised eyebrows.
Gronkowski believes the NFL needs to address this issue to prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
“But I’ve been a part of those situations before, and it depends on how they handle it,” Gronkowski said, citing the example of former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who handled his head coaching interviews while still with the team.
As the NFL offseason gets underway, the debate over coaching interviews during the playoffs is sure to continue. For the Lions and their fans, the sting of a promising season cut short will linger, and the challenge of facing their former coordinator twice a year only adds to the intrigue.
