In the ongoing media battle between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the controversy surrounding Johnson's withdrawal from consideration for job opportunities with the Commanders and Seattle Seahawks has taken center stage. Since the incident occurred earlier this week, the narrative has spun out of control, with both parties attempting to shape their own versions of events.

The situation began when Johnson removed himself from the candidate pool just as the Commanders were en route to Detroit for interviews with him and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. This act has led some media outlets to portray Johnson as having "done Washington dirty." However, such last-minute decisions are not uncommon in the coaching industry, as evidenced by Kliff Kingsbury's recent withdrawal from the Raiders' offensive coordinator job.

Amidst the controversy, discussions about money have also surfaced. Earlier reports suggested that Johnson was seeking an unusually high salary of up to $15 million per year to leave Detroit. However, Johnson's agent promptly disputed these claims. Nevertheless, when Johnson declined other offers this cycle, Adam Schefter seemed to echo the initial report, suggesting that teams were spooked by Johnson's asking price. Schefter later stated that Johnson's contract in Detroit had not been adjusted, implying that money was not his primary motivation.

The situation became even messier as reports emerged questioning Johnson's qualifications and interviewing skills. Albert Breer noted that the Commanders were considering a "soft reset" in their hiring process and were open to in-person interviews, indicating that Johnson's initial interview did not leave a remarkable impression. Similarly, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo stated that Johnson did not interview well and questioned his personality, comparing it unfavorably to other coaches. These negative assessments have raised questions about the sudden shift in perception of Johnson's candidacy.

However, critics argue that these reports may be part of a push by the Commanders to save face. They question why, if Johnson's interview was so underwhelming, the team would still meet with him again. Moreover, during the time when he was considered a top candidate, there were no indications of poor interviewing or attitude issues.

On Johnson's side, conflicting narratives also emerge. According to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Johnson felt he had unfinished business in Detroit after the Lions' disappointing performance in the NFC Championship Game. However, there are claims that Johnson was not impressed with the Commanders' ownership and their allegedly overconfident football opinions.

Amidst the back-and-forth, it is clear that both the Commanders and Johnson are dissatisfied with how the situation has unfolded. The hope is that they can move past this feud and focus on their respective paths moving forward. In the meantime, the Commanders can now shift their attention to their recent hiring of Dan Quinn as they strive to establish a successful future for the team.

Overall, the media spin surrounding the contentious relationship between the Washington Commanders and Ben Johnson continues to captivate attention, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the situation.