Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is the top head coaching candidate in this year’s hiring cycle and was one of the interviewees for the Jacksonville Jaguars vacancy.
However, as Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal described, “a lot of momentum is building” for Johnson and the Las Vegas Raiders.
This isn’t the first report we’ve heard recently about Johnson ending up in Las Vegas either. A few days ago, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager would say that Johnson to the Raiders is “picking up way more steam in league circles.”
New Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is reportedly helping to lead that charge.
The 2024 season is now Johnson’s third as the Lions’ offensive play-caller. Basically pick an offensive category and you’ll likely find the Lions ranked near the top.
Catching everyone’s attention is not only the success that the Detroit offense has had under Johnson but also the creativity and adaptability of his offensive scheme as well, which leaves opposing defenses in a bind.
A key factor in where Johnson chooses to coach will be alignment with the general manager. The Jaguars are retaining Trent Baalke, although as SI’s Albert Breer reported recently, there is some “flexibility” with Shad Khan in that regard for the right head coaching candidate.
