Multiple reporters have insisted over recent weeks that if Ben Johnson were to take a head coaching job somewhere, he would seek “alignment.” People may try to translate it, but the simplest way to put it is he’d prefer being paired with a GM he knows and trusts. What obviously isn’t known is who that executive would be if and when he does take such a job. Many have speculated it would be Detroit Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew since the two have worked together since 2021.
However, draft insider Charlie Campbell is hearing a different name. His source indicates the name to watch is Lance Newmark. Currently the assistant GM of the Washington Commanders, he’d spent the previous 26 years in Detroit, including five with Johnson on the coaching staff.
The longtime executive got his start in the 1990s with the Chargers under legendary GM Bobby Beathard. Upon arriving in Detroit, he worked his way up from area scout to national scout by 2005. His influence first really began to surface when he became their director of college scouting in 2008. Around that same time, the Lions finally started hitting on draft picks like Matthew Stafford, Cliff Avril, Ndamukong Suh, Riley Reiff, Ezekiel Ansah, Darius Slay, and Eric Ebron. Eventually, he was promoted to director of player personnel in 2016. Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, and Sam LaPorta were all brought in with his help.
This doesn’t even include Washington’s outstanding draft with Jayden Daniels, Jer’Zhan Newton, Mike Sainristil, and Brandon Coleman.
It isn’t hard to see why Ben Johnson wants to reunite with him. Newmark clearly understands how to build the type of roster the young coach wants. He also has an eye for offensive linemen, which is precisely what the Bears need. The question is whether the organization would adhere to Johnson’s demand. It would require firing GM Ryan Poles. There haven’t yet been any strong indications this will happen. However, the possibility remains. If he is fired, this will be the GM name to watch.
