The Raiders’ Next Coach Would be a Dark Horse Candidate: Insider Reveals Surprising Candidate to Watch
The Las Vegas Raiders have taken a liking to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Perhaps the feeling is mutual — limited owner Tom Brady.
Raiders and Johnson met virtually Friday to discuss the head-coaching position, and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Johnson “quickly emerged as the candidate to watch for Las Vegas.”
“He has quickly emerged as the candidate to watch for Las Vegas, as the Raiders — in a search that prominently includes limited partner Tom Brady — are willing to wait as long as it takes to secure their potential future head coach,” Rapoport wrote.
He and Mike Garafolo report the Raiders are also getting an assist in the search from Jed Hughes of the firm Korn Ferry.
The Raiders aren’t the only NFL team after Johnson. He had virtual meetings with the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots. However, Rapoport mentioned the Raiders would “be an ideal match” for Johnson.
Rapoport brought up the fact that many in the NFL wondered if Johnson would meet with the Raiders, but “Brady recruited Johnson to interview.”
The Raiders have other interviews to conduct, but it seems Johnson is interested in Vegas despite the quarterback situation.
It seems Brady has already been doing his homework on head-coaching candidates and picking the brain of his former coach, Bill Belichick, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Other Raiders interviews already conducted virtually were with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
The Raiders are scheduled to meet with former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken soon.
The Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco this week a year after firing then-head coach Josh McDaniels and then-general manager Dave Ziegler.
