If Tom Brady has anything to say about it, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could become the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, who is also a limited partner of the Raiders, played a key role in Johnson taking the interview with the franchise. Sources told Rapoport that Brady personally vouched for Johnson as a candidate to the Raiders’ brass and “implored” the Lions’ OC, through his agent to take the meeting.
Johnson completed a virtual interview with the Raiders on Friday, and the team is reportedly “enamored” with him as a candidate.
Earlier this week, the Raiders fired both head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco after just one season. Brady is said to have an influence in their firings. This decision came just a season removed from the dismissal of Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler from those respective positions.
This season, the Lions finished with a franchise-best 15-2 record, winning a second consecutive division title and securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed — both franchise firsts, which Johnson played a major role in. Under his play-calling, the Lions’ offense set multiple records, including scoring 564 points, the fourth-most in a single NFL season.
If Johnson becomes the Raiders’ primary target, he would take on the challenge of leading a franchise potentially headed for a significant rebuild — a scenario he is familiar with from his time in Detroit under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.
Johnson’s offensive approach, along with his ability to bring a version of the Lions’ “grit” culture to the Raiders’ locker room, could be pivotal in securing the role — assuming he wants it.
Johnson has also interviewed with Brady’s former team, the New England Patriots, and is scheduled to meet with the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
