Not too long ago, such as he may want to leave his post as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator this year, there was a lot attaching Ben Johnson to one particular head coaching opening. But things can change quickly when there are other openings and interviews get done, and in that light there's a team that is making it abundantly clear how much they like Johnson.
The bigger question is how much Johnson wants that situation, though there is appeal to it if you choose to see it. With a clean slate (a new GM), a lot of cap space, notable draft capital and an appealing geographic destination for players, the Las Vegas Raiders have seemingly become the No. 1 suitor for Johnson. And they've done it quickly, in the space of less than a week.
On Monday, while allowing for the possibility for things to change, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal pointed to the match between Johnson and the Raiders.
A lot of things lining up and pointing to Ben Johnson to the @Raiders.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) January 14, 2025
Nothing surprises me in this league, though.
Some really good coaches have a chance to change things when they interview.
But…
Ben Johnson to the Raiders buzz is getting louder
ESPN's Dan Graziano made predictions for who will be hired for the six open NFL head coaching jobs in a piece published Tuesday morning. He predicted Johnson to the Raiders, with an easy acknowledgement he would not have made that prediction at the start of the process.
"This definitely would not have been the spot people picked for Johnson when this process started. 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. (The Raiders also fired GM Tom Telesco last week after only one season.)"
SI.com Raiders reporter Hondo Carpenter had more about the Raiders and Johnson in his latest update about the situation. After the previous report from NFL Network's Ian Raport saying the Raiders are "enamored" with Johnson, Carpenter said the feeling is mutual.
"I'm also told that it was enamoring for Ben Johnson," Carpenter said. "Him and Tom Brady have really hit it off in a big way."
"I was told by an NFL executive who is very knowledgeable of the process — the same one who told me they did not think the Raiders were gonna get Mike Vrabel, they believe Ben Johnson is the guy to beat," Carpenter said. "They would be surprised other than Ben, they think that Ben will clearly emerge as the lead candidate. Tom Brady was extremely impressed with him, and he was extremely impressed with Tom Brady."
Carpenter added if Johnson is not the head coach of the Raiders "the reason will have nothing to do with money." The Raiders will pay what it takes to get their guy, and Johnson sits as the lead candidate as they move through the rest of their process.
The buzz tying the Johnson to the Raiders is quickly adding tentacles, and with Tom Brady adding credibility to their situation it's becoming impossible to brush it off as insignificant.