Reporter explains why Raiders' Tom Brady couldn't lure Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson. Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Reporter explains why Raiders minority owner Tom Brady couldn't lure Ben Johnson

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 2:48 PM ET

Even with new minority owner Tom Brady in the picture, the Las Vegas Raiders are still an unattractive destination for head-coaching candidates.

The Raiders failed to lure Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, whom the Chicago Bears hired as their next head coach on Monday. The Athletic's Dianna Russini said Brady made a compelling pitch, but it wasn't enough for Johnson.

"Tom Brady was a very convincing owner in trying to get Ben Johnson to go there because they were going to make it the Brady way," Russini said on the "Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" Tuesday. "In the end, I think Johnson said, 'I need the quarterback. Vegas doesn't have it.'"

"He's going to Chicago because he's got the quarterback. He believes in Caleb Williams. There's a lot of people around the league that think that Caleb Williams is untapped talent." @DMRussini on Ben Johnson agreeing to be the next Chicago Bears head coach.

WATCH:… pic.twitter.com/dQxfAAVlsg
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) January 21, 2025

This season, the Raiders started QBs Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder, who collectively posted a subpar 80.4 passer rating. Unsurprisingly, Vegas (4-13) finished last in the AFC West, missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

Meanwhile, the Bears (5-12) have QB Caleb Williams, who flashed potential in his rookie season. In 17 starts, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick finished with 3,541 yards passing, 20 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a slightly below-average 87.8 passer rating.

Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll " is viewed as one of the team's top fallback plans." Of course, Carroll won a Super Bowl in 14 seasons with Seattle.

However, even an accomplished coach like Carroll couldn't overcome the Raiders' problems at their most important position.

Perhaps Vegas should sign Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold in free agency or draft Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. Either could improve the position group, which should give the Raiders' next coach a better chance to succeed.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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