Lions promoting Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator

After considering other options the past couple of weeks, the Detroit Lions decided to stay in-house with the team's offensive coordinator vacancy, promoting tight ends coach Ben Johnson to the role, a source confirmed to The Detroit News on Monday night.

Johnson had been the presumed front-runner after the team parted ways with Anthony Lynn the day after the season ended. When coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties from Lynn midseason, Johnson was simultaneously elevated to the team's pass-game coordinator, drawing rave reviews for his contributions to the game plan, as well as individual play design.

"I've been impressed with Ben from Day 1," Lions quarterback coach Mark Brunell…