Two National Insiders Fire Back At Ben Johnson Raiders Rumors

If you ask most people around the NFL media, they seem to think hot head coaching candidate Ben Johnson is destined for the Las Vegas Raiders. This stems from two primary reasons. Tom Brady, a new part-owner of the organization, has been heavily recruiting him. The other and more recent fact is that Las Vegas plans to interview Washington Commanders Assistant GM Lance Newmark. Many believe he is the one Johnson would like to pair with at whichever job he takes. The Raiders meeting with him is a classic case of connecting the dots.

However, not everybody is buying into that. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk provided an update on the Johnson situation. He came away with a clear indication from talking to people around the league. The offensive coordinator hasn't made any decisions. As for the Newmark situation? It's being way overblown.

As one source with knowledge of the situation said Sunday, there are “a lot of moving parts” for Johnson — and it remains to be seen whether the disappointing finish to the 2024 season makes him more likely or less likely to return to the Lions for another run.

Some are attaching significance to the fact that the Raiders interviewed Commanders assistant G.M. Lance Newmark for the G.M. position on Sunday. Newmark has worked with Johnson in Detroit, and some believe Newmark is Johnson’s top choice to ensure the “alignment” with the front office that he craves.

Per the source, however, that “doesn’t mean a lot right now.”

Florio isn't alone.

Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado chimed in as well. He's been steadfast in saying that Johnson to the Raiders is not something anywhere close to set in stone. While he might be the favorite for the Raiders, the feeling isn't necessarily mutual. Chicago is still very much in the mix.

As for the Newmark situation? He also says there isn't much to it. Las Vegas always planned to speak with him regardless of Johnson's prior connection with him. It shouldn't be surprising after the season Washington has had.

Ben Johnson seems intent on letting the process play out.

He is expected to meet with the three teams vying for his services this week and then decide. Typically, coaches eliminated from the playoffs are hired between three to five days after the season ends. This means news should arrive between Wednesday and Friday. Today, Chicago became compliant with the Rooney Rule after their interview with Tennessee State head coach Eddie George. That means they are free to make a full-court press for Johnson all week, presuming he is their primary target.

Local insiders seem split on the situation. Some, like Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron, believe Ben Johnson is destined for Las Vegas. Others, like Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog, have heard he loves Caleb Williams and is willing to work with GM Ryan Poles. It truly seems like Johnson hasn't made a decision either way. He's going to hear each team out and weigh his options from there. It may come down to something as simple as who pays him the most money. Nobody knows for sure.