By Mummy Grace 
The Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, has become a hot commodity in this NFL head coach hiring cycle, with the Las Vegas Raiders reportedly showing a strong interest in him. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders are “enamored” with Johnson and are willing to be patient in their pursuit, with team limited partner Tom Brady playing a significant role in the process.
Raiders Leading the Charge
Johnson completed interviews with both the Raiders and the New England Patriots on Friday. He’s also expected to interview with the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. However, the Raiders’ interest seems to stand out, largely due to Brady’s personal involvement.
Rapoport noted that Brady not only vouched for Johnson but also directly encouraged him to consider the Raiders’ opening:
“Thanks in part to the involvement of Brady, who sources say personally vouched for Johnson and implored him to take the interview through his agent, Johnson spoke with them. Essentially, Brady recruited Johnson to interview.”
Offensive Genius
Johnson has been instrumental in the Detroit Lions’ rise as one of the league’s premier offenses over the past three seasons. Under his leadership, the Lions ranked in the top five in scoring in 2022 and 2023, with the 2024 season marking their best performance yet. Detroit set a franchise record with 564 points, leading the NFL with 33.2 points per game.
A Calculated Approach
This marks the third consecutive year that Johnson has been among the most sought-after head coaching candidates. However, he has been highly selective about the opportunities he pursues. Despite his cautious approach, Johnson hasn’t hidden his ambitions, sharing his desire to test his limits as a leader.
“There’s a burning desire in every man to find what he’s made out of, push the limits, and see if he’s got what it takes,” Johnson said in December. “So, yeah, there’s a fire there. Now, when that time is, I don’t know when that’ll be, but there’s certainly a fire there.”
What’s Next for Johnson?
With interviews ongoing and high-profile teams vying for his expertise, Johnson is poised to take the next step in his career. Whether he lands with the Raiders, Patriots, or another team, his track record and innovative offensive schemes make him one of the most exciting coaching prospects in the NFL.
For the latest updates on Ben Johnson and the Detroit Lions’ coaching carousel, keep an eye on our 2025 NFL coaching tracker.