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#pounditWednesday, January 15, 2025

AFC team closing in on Ben Johnson as next head coach?

January 15, 2025
by Steve DelVecchio
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Ben JohnsonLas Vegas Raiders
Ben Johnson at a press conference

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson answers a question before OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters in Allen Park on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Photo Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has once again been viewed as a top head coach candidate heading into 2025, and there seems to be a growing sense that he will wind up with a specific AFC team.

Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal said in a post on X Wednesday that there is “a lot of momentum building” for Johnson to be hired by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Johnson emerged as the name to watch for Las Vegas several days ago. Tom Brady is now a part-owner of the Raiders, and the legendary quarterback is said to have vouched for Johnson to become the team’s next head coach. There have been numerous reports that Raiders owner Mark Davis wants Brady to have a heavy influence in the team’s search for a new coach.

The Lions are still in the playoffs, so the Raiders would have to be patient if they want to hire Johnson. If they choose to wait without having any strong indication that Johnson wants the job, they would run the risk of missing out on other candidates.

Detroit is the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a favorite to reach the Super Bowl, which means it could be several weeks before Johnson would be able to reach any formal agreement with Las Vegas.

The Raiders have also been linked to Deion Sanders, but it seems like the Hall of Fame defensive back could merely be trying to create leverage in extension talks with Colorado.

Johnson, 38, is in his second season as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. Detroit is No. 1 in points and No. 2 in yards this season. They were Nos. 5 and 3, respectively, last season. Johnson’s stock probably cannot get any higher, though there has been talk of him remaining with the Lions once again.

It sounds like the Raiders are the favorite for Johnson at the moment, but he reportedly has interest in at least one other surprising head coach opening.