The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly narrowing their focus on Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson for their head coaching vacancy, with new minority owner Tom Brady playing an active role in recruitment efforts.
The Raiders, who will enter the 2025 season with their fifth head coach in as many years, fired Antonio Pierce after a disappointing 4-13 season.
As the search for his replacement heats up, ESPN’s Dan Graziano has highlighted Johnson as a top candidate.
“This definitely would not have been the spot people picked for Johnson when this process started,” Graziano said. “But I have been told new minority owner Tom Brady has been making a personal appeal to Johnson and trying to sell him on coming to Las Vegas to build a program together with a new GM.”
Graziano also mentioned that team owner Mark Davis is expected to give the next head coach and general manager significant time to rebuild the franchise, likely starting with a new quarterback.
The prediction adds weight to earlier reports. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently claimed the Raiders are “enamored” with Johnson.
Similarly, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote Monday night that “a lot of things” are “lining up and pointing to” Johnson landing the job.
While Las Vegas appears to be making a strong push, Johnson is a hot commodity across the league.
During Detroit’s first-round playoff bye, the 37-year-old interviewed with the Raiders, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots, who ultimately hired Mike Vrabel.
Johnson has been a coveted head coaching candidate for the past two years, and his work in Detroit has only elevated his stock.
Under his guidance, the Lions posted a league-best 33.2 points per game and the NFL’s second-most total yards in a 15-2 campaign.
His system also helped revive quarterback Jared Goff’s career, with Goff setting personal bests this season in touchdowns (37) and yards per attempt (8.6).
Brady’s potential influence on the Raiders’ hiring process introduces an intriguing subplot, particularly as he balances his ownership duties with broadcasting obligations for FOX.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion is scheduled to call Detroit’s NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Washington Commanders on Saturday night, a game where Johnson’s offense will take center stage.
Needless to say, there are many in the football world who aren’t too thrilled with Brady’s unique arraignment.
The Raiders’ pursuit of Johnson underscores their urgency to reshape the team’s future.
With Brady reportedly at the helm of their recruitment efforts, Las Vegas is making it clear they see Johnson as the architect to lead their long-term rebuild.
One thing is for sure, we won’t know what Johnson’s next move is until after the Lions wrap up their season (which may take a while with the way things are going in Detroit).
At the end of the day, where do you think Johnson will end up? … Are the Raiders indeed the heavy favorites???
