A shocking article has surfaced on “The Athletic” website, and it’s causing quite a stir. The article initially appears to be about the Washington Commanders hiring Dan Quinn as their head coach, but it quickly becomes clear that it’s actually a hit piece on Ben Johnson, the former offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. The article is filled with anonymous quotes and reads more like a public relations piece for the Commanders than actual journalism. It’s a deceptive move by the Commanders to smear Johnson and make themselves look good.
Many people in the league believed that Johnson was the top choice for the Commanders’ head coaching position. Their actions seemed to indicate that as well. If they had wanted to hire Dan Quinn from the start, they could have done so much earlier. Instead, they waited until after Championship Sunday when both Johnson and Mike Macdonald, the former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, were busy coaching their respective teams. Macdonald ended up accepting an offer from the Seattle Seahawks, while Johnson decided to stay in Detroit.
Immediately after Johnson made his decision, the Commanders’ PR team went into action. Adam Schefter posted on X, insinuating that Johnson had scared off other teams with his demands. It’s highly likely that these “sources” were actually from within the Washington organization, trying to save face and make it seem like they weren’t the ones who lost out on Johnson.
But the Commanders didn’t stop there. They enlisted the help of “The Athletic” to further tarnish Johnson’s reputation. An article titled “How the Commanders landed on Dan Quinn amid twists, turns and ‘outrageous’ actions” was published, painting a negative picture of Johnson. It’s important to note that one of the authors, Dianna Russini, has a history of presenting a positive view of the Washington organization in her reporting.
The article goes on to make several claims against Johnson. It suggests that he leaked information about the Commanders’ search, and it criticizes him for texting the team to say he was no longer interested while they were on their way to meet him in Detroit. While this may not have been the best approach, it’s worth considering the timing. Johnson had just come off a tough loss in the NFC Championship, and he needed time to process his decision. It’s unfair to blame him for not informing the team sooner.
“The Athletic” fails to present this side of the story and instead focuses on smearing Johnson. It then shifts its attention to Dan Quinn, praising the Commanders for hiring him despite their previous struggles. The article even goes so far as to compare Quinn to legendary coaches like Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll, and Andy Reid, which is a stretch to say the least.
In the end, the article is nothing more than a PR piece for the Commanders. It lacks balance and objectivity, which are essential elements of journalism. If the author’s goal was to impress the Commanders and secure a job in their PR department, then they have certainly succeeded.
