2 reporters from network suggest it’s not a done deal with Lions OC
There has been a lot of media-driven momentum that suggests the Las Vegas Raiders will land perhaps the most coveted coaching candidate this hiring cycle in the form of Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
in recent days, multiple reporters and outlets have strongly pointed that Johnson is the target of Raiders’ ownership, led by part-time owner Tom Brady.
Yet, Friday, one prominent NFL reporter suggested that that may not be the case. Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter said he doesn’t think the Johnson-Raiders pairing is a done deal. While giving reasons for his thoughts, Schefter did admit that Johnson, indeed, could end up in Las Vegas even though he believes both the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars, who also interviewed him, are still in the running as well.
Also, fellow ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler backed up Schefter’s thoughts by saying he is hearing Johnson has an open mind when it comes to all three teams he’s interviewed with, suggesting there isn’t currently a favorite as others have suggested regarding the Raiders.
To echo @AdamSchefter point, I hear these words when I ask about Ben Johnson process: Open mind. My sense is he’s keeping one as it relates to Vegas, Chicago, Jacksonville. https://t.co/7eEhGPJW4k
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 17, 2025
“I know everyone’s got Ben Johnson anointed to the Raiders,” Schefter said. ”I’m not in that camp right now. I have to see it before I believe … Why is everyone ignoring Chicago when it comes to Ben Johnson? Why is that just being dispelled. What am I missing here?”
Schefter suggested the lack of a clear path to a quarterback and the difficult AFC West as reasons why the Raiders may not be the favorite to land Johnson. The Bears’ division, of course, the NFC North, is also tough and had three playoff teams as the AFC West did. The Jaguars are in a weak division. Both the Bears and Jaguars are also have set quarterbacks in 2025.
Meanwhile, on the same show, PacMan Jones indicated the feel around the Deion Sanders camp is that Johnson will end up in Las Vegas.
PacMan Jones is pretty strongly implying on McAfee that his close friend Deion Sanders wanted the Raiders job in order to coach both his sons, but that it has been indicated to him that Ben Johnson will end up in Las Vegas and Kellen Moore will be the coach in Dallas
— Adam Hill (@AdamHillLVRJ) January 17, 2025
Then, Mike Florio said he thinks Johnson will either stick with the Lions for another year or go to the Raiders.
“I think it’s the Raiders or Lions, take that Raiders job or stay put for Ben Johnson.”
-Mike Florio explains why he doesn’t think Ben Johnson will take any NFL vacancy just to become a Head Coach @ProFootballTalk pic.twitter.com/PNOYtSOr00
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 17, 2025
So, what does this all mean? All I can suggest is to stay tuned and try to stay sane during all of this.