Mike Florio raised questions about Adam Schefter’s reporting on Ben Johnson. After interviewing for a head coaching position, the offensive coordinator decided to stay with the Detroit Lions. Schefter asserted that Johnson wasn’t a head coaching “lock,” and his asking price “spooked” teams.
In a Wednesday interview on Chicago’s 670 The Score, Florio criticized Schefter for making such an accusation without providing additional details. Florio expressed amazement at Schefter’s ability to share information without facing the same scrutiny as others.
He emphasized the irresponsibility of suggesting that Johnson’s asking price spooked teams without offering further information, context, or allowing Johnson or his agent to respond.
Florio, the founder of Pro Football Talk, pointed out the lack of current friendship between him and Schefter. He deemed it unfair for Schefter to shape a narrative about Johnson that could be treated as gospel without sufficient evidence. Florio called for transparency, suggesting that revealing the specific asking price would provide a clearer understanding of whether Johnson’s demands were unrealistic or if the Washington Commanders fed Schefter a face-saving accusation after missing their target.
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“I’m just amazed that he can get away with stuff that others can’t get away with,” Florio said. “And I’m not saying he’s going to get away with this, I’m pointing it out currently.”
“Throwing out there the idea that Ben Johnson’s asking price spooked teams with no further information, with no further context, with no opportunity for Johnson or his agent to respond to this suggestion, seems irresponsible to me. And I would get dragged if I did it.”
He highlighted the curiosity sparked by Schefter’s tweet and argued that such information shouldn’t be shared without giving Johnson an opportunity to refute, explain, comment, or confirm it.
Schefter later mentioned that the Commanders were flying to Detroit to interview Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn when they learned of Johnson’s surprising decision. On Thursday, he reported that Washington is hiring Dan Quinn as its next head coach.
