Raiders Rumors: Ben Johnson Is ‘Name to Watch’ for HC After Patriots Hire Mike Vrabel

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 12, 2025

Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

With Mike Vrabel now off the coaching market, having joined the New England Patriots, all eyes turn to Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

And according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Las Vegas Raiders are firmly in that mix:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheetFrom @NFLGameDay: Taking a look at the #Raiders and #Bears coaching searches and where it all stands… pic.twitter.com/vHIkEQqdNk

“My understanding is the name to watch is Johnson. They are said to be enamored with him,” he reported regarding the Raiders “People ask and have been asking over the last 24 hours, ‘Why would Ben Johnson be interested in a job that doesn’t have a quarterback?’ Tom Brady has loomed large recruiting Johnson, imploring him to take the interview and consider the Raiders. If that is something that will be a possibility for Johnson, and certainly that has worked—Johnson is said at least to be interested.”

There have been other reports that Johnson and the Raiders might end up being a match:

Peter Schrager @PSchragsBen Johnson / Raiders actually picking up way more steam in league circles over last 48 hours. https://t.co/FbHQh0uWSg

Dianna Russini @DMRussiniThe Tom Brady factor in Las Vegas has given the Raiders an edge in attracting candidates they typically wouldn’t land. His influence is a key draw, which is why coaches like Ben Johnson agreed to meet with them.

Johnson, 38, has been one of the hottest coaching names on the market for the past two offseasons, proving to be one of the most innovative and exciting play-callers in the NFL in recent years. His offensive scheme has helped propel the Lions to the realm of the league’s elite teams and has fans in Detroit thinking Super Bowl after the team secured the top overall seed in the NFC playoffs.

It’s fair to argue that the Raiders aren’t one of the more appealing openings remaining for a top candidate, however.

The Chicago Bears (Caleb Williams) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Trevor Lawrence) have quarterbacks in place. The New York Jets, while a mess, have more overall talent on the roster. The Raiders had a strong 2024 draft, led by the superb rookie season of tight end Brock Bowers, but fired the man who orchestrated it (former general manager Tom Telesco)

Las Vegas could look to trade up from No. 6 in order to gain a top-two pick, putting them in position to select a quarterback like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, but that would come at the cost of giving up valuable assets into the future. This isn’t a franchise that can afford to punt on multiple drafts down the line, given the other needs on the roster.

Johnson’s scheme is fantastic, but it also relies on the presence of a reliable quarterback (Jared Goff) and dynamic talent at the skill positions (Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, David Montgomery, Jameson Williams). The Raiders have Bowers, Jakobi Meyers and… not much else in that regard.

Perhaps Brady can talk Johnson into rebuilding the proud franchise together. But if Johnson is ready to make the leap to head coaching, there are more appealing destinations available.