By Mummy Grace 
Ben Johnson Emerging as the Raiders’ Top Pick for Head Coach
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the name everyone’s talking about this offseason. He’s one of the hottest head coaching candidates, and it looks like the Las Vegas Raiders might have the inside track on landing him.
According to Vincent Bonsignore from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders are gaining “a lot of momentum” toward hiring Johnson. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport backed up the buzz on The Insiders, saying, “There does seem to be an acknowledgment that Ben Johnson is the leading candidate, and a lot of people think, frankly, he’s getting it.”
While it’s not a done deal yet (the Raiders still have to go through all the formalities), the signs are pointing in Johnson’s direction. Of course, the Lions’ season has to end before any official moves can happen, so Raiders fans will have to wait a bit longer.
If Johnson does head to Vegas, he’ll be replacing Antonio Pierce, who was let go after the regular season. But first, Johnson has some unfinished business in Detroit. The Lions, fresh off a first-round bye, are gearing up for a big playoff game against the Washington Commanders. That showdown kicks off Saturday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. ET at Ford Field.
The Lions’ offense under Johnson has been electric, which explains why teams are lining up for his services. But for now, he’s laser-focused on helping Detroit make a deep playoff run.
More NFL Rumblings:
- Could the Cowboys snag Steve Sarkisian from Texas?
- Dallas sets up interviews with two former NFL head coaches.
- Jaguars eye a top Buccaneers coordinator for their head coach spot.
- Eagles’ A.J. Brown claps back at criticism for reading on the sidelines.
About Blake Silverman:
Blake Silverman is part of Sports Illustrated’s Breaking and Trending News team. Before joining SI in 2024, he covered everything from the WNBA to the NBA and college basketball for sites like Winsidr and SB Nation’s Detroit Bad Boys. A proud Michigander, Blake holds degrees from Michigan State University and St. Bonaventure University. When he’s not writing, you’ll probably find him watching the latest Netflix doc, hitting up a yoga studio, or cheering on Detroit sports. He lives in the Detroit suburbs with his wife, young son, and their own mini zoo—two cats and a dog.
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