The Raiders have researched several candidates, hoping to replace the departed Antonio Pierce and begin the process of building a contender.
Despite all the interviews, the conversation has always shifted towards a single name: Ben Johnson.
The 38-year-old offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions is one of the top candidates in this coaching cycle, and the Raiders have emerged as the shocking favorite to acquire his services.
Minority owner Tom Brady has courted Johnson and convinced him to interview with the Raiders, and the team has reportedly become ‘enamored’ with him.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport gave his thoughts on the situation, and the comments are music to the ears of fans who are clamoring for Johnson.
“The people who are associated with the Raiders job, I’m talking other candidates, I’m talking agents, people are the NFL, there does seem to be an acknowledgement that Ben Johnson is the leading candidate [in Las Vegas] and there a lot of people who, frankly, think he is getting it,” Rapoport reported on Wednesday.
“They are not done. They certainly have not done the requirements that would allow them to hire a coach and he’s not even able to be officially hired until after the season. But it does seem like that is the direction that it is headed.”
Johnson has been the catalyst for Detroit’s transformation into an offensive juggernaut. He has completely turned the career of quarterback Jared Goff around, and has been instrumental in head coach Dan Campbell’s culture change.
Brady will have the chance to get an up-close look at Johnson’s offense on Saturday, when he calls the Lions’ Divisional Round matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Of course, Johnson cannot officially be hired by the Raiders until the end of the Lions’ season. However, the team seems to be in great position to get the deal done when that time comes.