Ben Johnson draw intensifies in two-team battle with decision to come

Ben Johnson’s breadcrumbs are piling up.

Multiple reports surfaced Monday about the future of the Lions offensive coordinator, who is the hottest candidate in this coaching cycle.

Momentum has been building for the Raiders over the past week and now the team has tapped a face Johnson is familiar with on Sunday to interview for its vacant general manager position.

Former Lions general manager and current Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark was reportedly in Las Vegas for an interview, hours after his Washington team stunned Detroit with a 45-31 divisional round victory on Saturday evening.

Before joining the Commanders last year, Newmark spent more than two decades with the Lions, forging a “strong relationship” with Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn – another sought-after candidate this coaching cycle – according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Newmark, who most recently served as the Lions’ senior director of player personnel, also spoke to the Jets about their general manager opening and will reportedly have a second interview with Gang Green on Tuesday.

Schefter also reported Monday that decisions from Johnson and Glenn, who have scheduled a second interview with the Jets, are expected by midweek.

Johnson, however, is not won in advance. The Bears and Jaguars have also interviewed the 38-year-old and NFL insider Josina Anderson has been told by sources that Johnson is now “deeply” considering the opening in Chicago, which would come with the chance to mentor the young quarterback Caleb Williams.

The Bears fired Matt Eberflus the day after a Thanksgiving Day loss to Johnson’s Lions and en route to a disappointing 5-12 season.

The Raiders cleaned house earlier this month with the firing of first-year coach Antonio Pierce and first-year general manager Tom Telesco after a disappointing 4-13 campaign.

Johnson, who has served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator since 2022, has been heavily linked to the Raiders’ opening, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting Wednesday that the 38-year-old is “the leading candidate and there are a lot of people who think, frankly, he understands.

The “appeal” of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady was also a contributing factor, according to radio host Dan Patrick.

Johnson spoke about the job to the Raiders before the Lions’ season-ending loss Saturday.

Following Detroit’s heartbreaking loss, head coach Dan Campbell said he expected to “lose both” Johnson and Glenn, who has since earned a second interview for the Jets’ opener.

“I would expect to lose both, but I haven’t been told anything,” Campbell said Monday, according to Pro Football Talk. “I have a feeling, but I’m ready to lose both.”

Campbell, Glenn and Johnson guided the Lions to a 15-2 regular season record and first place in the NFC.

Campbell added Monday that if his top coordinators were to leave the team, the Lions couldn’t let the shakeup discourage their foundation.

“We have guys on our team who are more than qualified to be exceptional in those roles, but that doesn’t mean I’m not looking outside as well,” he said. “I want what I believe to be as close as possible to what we have been. We do not lose who we are and our identity. We will stay true to who we are.

The Raiders, Jets, Bears, Jaguars, Saints and Cowboys are the current coaching positions.

The Patriots filled their position last week by signing franchise great Mike Vrabel.