Raiders Rumors: 'A Lot of Momentum Building' For Lions' Ben Johnson to Be Hired as HC

The buzz surrounding Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as a head coaching candidate is growing louder ahead of the divisional round.

There is "a lot of momentum building" between Johnson and the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching vacancy, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Bonsignore has previously described Johnson and former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll as "favorites to land the job."

Johnson and the Lions are preparing to play the visiting Washington Commanders with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line Saturday.

Johnson's offense finished the 2024 season having averaged 409.5 total yards per game, good for second in the NFL. The unit also ranked second with 272.9 passing yards per game and sixth with 146.4 rushing yards per contest.

The Raiders offense found itself in the opposite position as neither Gardner Minshew II nor Aidan O'Connell panned out as a long-term option in 2024. Las Vegas finished the campaign ranked 27th in average total offensive yards per game and 32nd in average rushing yards.

Targeting a coordinator whose unit has ranked top-four in the NFL in total offense for three straight regular seasons makes sense as a replacement for former head coach Antonio Pierce.

Tom Brady could have an influence on which direction the Raiders ultimately take with the opening. The former quarterback is expected to "lead the charge" in the franchise's search for a new head coach, according to Bonsignore.

There is also the chance the Raiders could miss out on the coordinator who is reportedly in high demand this head coaching cycle. Johnson has also interviewed with the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

NBC Sports' Mike Florio recently reported Johnson will only consider going somewhere he can be "on the same page with the front office."

The Raiders have not yet hired a general manager. The opportunity to have a say in who the franchise selects to replace Tom Telesco could be making the position in Las Vegas look more attractive to Johnson.

Carroll also seems interested in the position, given that he spent "most of Monday afternoon" interviewing for the job in Las Vegas, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has indicated he is interested in the job opening, per Bonsignore, but the Raiders are not currently interested, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed.