The Ben Johnson breadcrumbs are piling up.
A number of experiences surfaced on Monday about the way forward for the Lions offensive coordinator, who’s the most well liked candidate on this teaching cycle.
Momentum constructed for the Raiders final week and now the workforce introduced in a face Johnson is aware of Sunday for an interview for its basic supervisor emptiness.
Former Lions exec and present Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark was reportedly in Las Vegas for an interview, hours after his Washington workforce surprised Detroit with a 45-31 Divisional Spherical win on Saturday night time.
Earlier than becoming a member of the Commanders final yr, Newmark spent greater than 20 years with the Lions, forging a “robust relationship” with Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn — one other sought-after candidate this teaching cycle — in keeping with ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Newmark, who most just lately served because the Lions’ senior director of participant personnel, has additionally spoken to the Jets about their GM opening and can reportedly have a second interview with Gang Inexperienced on Tuesday.
Schefter additionally reported on Monday that choices from Johnson and Glenn, who scheduled a second interview with the Jets, are anticipated by the center of the week.
Johnson, although, will not be a foregone conclusion. The Bears and Jaguars additionally interviewed the 38-year-old and NFL insider Josina Anderson was informed by sources that Johnson is now “deeply contemplating” the opening in Chicago, which might include the possibility to mentor younger quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears fired Matt Eberflus the day after a Thanksgiving day loss to Johnson’s Lions and on the best way to a disappointing 5-12 season.
The Raiders cleaned home earlier this month with the firings of first-year coach Antonio Pierce and first-year GM Tom Telesco after a disappointing 4-13 marketing campaign.
Johnson, who has served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator since 2022, has been closely linked to the Raiders’ opening, with NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport reporting Wednesday that the 38-year-old is “is the main candidate and there’s lots of people who suppose, frankly, he’s getting it.”
The “attract” of Raiders minority proprietor Tom Brady has additionally been a contributing issue, in keeping with radio host Dan Patrick.
Johnson spoke to the Raiders in regards to the job earlier than the Lions’ season-ending loss on Saturday.
Within the wake of Detroit’s heartbreaking loss, head coach Dan Campbell stated he’s anticipating “to lose each” Johnson and Glenn, who has since secured a second interview for the Jets’ opening.
“I might anticipate to lose each, however I haven’t been informed something,” Campbell stated Monday, in keeping with Professional Soccer Speak. “I’ve received a sense, however I’m ready to lose each.”
Campbell, Glenn and Johnson guided the Lions to a 15-2 regular-season file and the NFC’s prime seed.
Campbell added Monday that ought to his prime coordinators exit, the Lions can’t let the shakeup deter their basis.
“We’ve received guys on workers which might be greater than certified to be excellent in these roles, however that doesn’t imply I’m not trying exterior both,” he stated. “I would like what I consider goes to be as near what we’ve been as attainable. We don’t lose what we’re about and our identification. We’re gonna keep true to who we’re.”
The Raiders, Jets, Bears, Jaguars, Saints and Cowboys are the present teaching openings.
The Patriots crammed their emptiness final week by hiring franchise nice Mike Vrabel.