The Chicago Bears lost out on one of their top candidates Sunday morning when the New England Patriots plucked Mike Vrabel to be their next head coach.
The Bears are in danger of losing another.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson had a virtual interview with the Bears on Saturday. Chicago cannot interview Johnson in person until at least Jan. 20. The Bears will have serious competition for Johnson in this hiring cycle, with their main obstacle being the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Las Vegas Raiders want Ben Johnson
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Raiders are keen on hiring Johnson.
“My understanding is the name to watch is Johnson,” Rapoport said on Sunday morning of the Raiders’ top choice to replace Antonio Pierce. “They are said to be enamored with him, and people ask and have been asking over the last twenty-four hours, ‘Why would Ben Johnson be interested in a job that just doesn’t have a quarterback?’
“(Raiders minority owner) Tom Brady has loomed large, recruiting Ben Johnson, imploring him to take the interview and consider the Raiders, if that is something that would be a possibility for Ben Johnson and certainly that has worked. Johnson has said at least to be interested. We will for sure keep an eye on this one.”
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has been "imploring" Lions OC Ben Johnson to consider the Raiders HC opening, per @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/fveFVfB9nz
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 12, 2025
The Chicago Bears aren’t No. 1 on Johnson’s list
Per George Ofman, Brady’s pitch is working. Following the Bears interview with Johnson on Saturday, Ofman reported Chicago is not No. 1 on Johnson’s list.
“More on Johnson …Told Tom Brady got involved a few days ago. He has personally recruited Johnson heavily leaving him with plenty to think about,” Ofman posted on X. “That, and the Raiders recently fired their GM. Told, as of now, Bears are not number 1 on his list.”
More on Johnson …Told Tom Brady got involved a few days ago. He has personally recruited Johnson heavily leaving him with plenty to think about. That, and the Raiders recently fired their GM. Told, as of now, Bears are not number 1 on his list.
— George Ofman (@georgeofman) January 12, 2025
Ofman has appeared to have inside knowledge regarding Johnson this week. He reported the Bears gave Johnson a separate homework assignment from the other candidates, wanting to know specifically what his leadership plan would be in Chicago.
General manager Ryan Poles reportedly wants Johnson. But the Bears aren’t the only front office in the league that wants to take a chance on the 38-year-old offensive mastermind.
Johnson having options doesn’t hurt his leverage in contract negotiations. The more he appears to be interested in the Raiders job, the more his agent can ask for better terms from the Bears.
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