Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talks with reporters before training camp on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Allen Park. Photo Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ben Johnson is regarded as a top potential head coach candidate for NFL teams next season. There was even a rumor last week that the Carolina Panthers might be targeting him. But Carolina has to have some concern about whether Johnson would have interest in them.

Johnson, who is in his second season as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, opted to return to Detroit for the 2023 season because he did not feel ready for head coaching jobs yet. He had interviewed for the Panthers job but later removed himself from consideration.

After a second season as the Lions’ OC, Johnson may feel more confident about taking the next step — but he might have some hesitation about going to Carolina.

The Athletic published a lengthy story on Wednesday regarding the Panthers and what has gone wrong with their organization this season. The story contained reporting from Joseph Person and Dianna Russini.

Toward the end of the story, Person and Russini reported that some with Carolina “have been texting Johnson about how complicated it’s been to work in Carolina this season.” In other words, current Panthers employees are warning Johnson about coming to work for the team.

Numerous reports have painted Panthers owner David Tepper as extremely hands-on, to the point that his meddlesome behavior would rival Dan Snyder. The word about the Panthers is out, and the result is coaches do not find their head coach job to be desirable.