Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator Ben Johnson recently addressed rumors about a potential conflict of interest involving Tom Brady.

Johnson, who has only met Brady once and had a brief interaction with him, clarified that there is no substance to the conspiracy theories surrounding their connection.

After the Chicago Bears interviewed Johnson for their head coach position last weekend, speculation arose regarding Brady’s involvement in the process.

Brady, a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and working as a broadcaster for Fox, was thought to potentially create a conflict of interest during the Lions-Commanders playoff game.

It was suggested that Brady’s role with the Raiders could influence Johnson’s decision-making, but Johnson swiftly dismissed those concerns.

In an interview at the Lions’ facility, Johnson said, “I know nothing of that nature,” referring to the conflict theory.

He explained that he met Brady on the field before a Packers game during pregame warmups, long before any of the current hiring processes began.

Johnson emphasized that his limited interaction with Brady had no bearing on his career decisions.

While the speculation surrounding the Bears and Jaguars and their interest in Johnson might be an issue, Johnson’s profile as a highly sought-after coaching candidate has grown over the past two years.

He’s been interviewed four times in just the last week, with the Bears, Jaguars, and Raiders all expressing interest.

Johnson revealed that he has become more prepared for head coaching interviews, having gained experience from previous years.

“I’ve been a lot more prepared for the types of questions they’ve been asking,” he said.

“Instead of solely focusing on offense, I’ve had time to think big-picture about running a program.” Johnson’s ability to answer challenging questions with more confidence was evident in his remarks.

During this time, the Bears’ chances of securing Johnson seemed less promising.

NBC Sports and Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk suggested that the Bears’ pursuit was not as strong as the Raiders’ due to alignment issues between Johnson and Bears’ GM Ryan Poles.

Florio highlighted how alignment with the front office was crucial for Johnson, noting that the Raiders seemed to have addressed that by firing GM Tom Telesco shortly after the dismissal of their head coach, Antonio Pierce.

This move, according to Florio, made the Raiders an appealing destination for Johnson, who would have more control over the organization’s direction.

“The Raiders recognize they need to create the best environment to hire Ben Johnson,” Florio stated. “To have any chance with him, the Bears might need to clear out their front office.”

Florio’s analysis added another layer to the Raiders’ advantage, explaining that Johnson would have the freedom to implement his vision.

“To get Ben Johnson, you’ve got to give him a runway to set things up the way he wants,” Florio said, suggesting that the Bears’ chances were slim without making significant changes to their management structure.

However, other experts, including Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated, raised the possibility that Johnson’s relationship with Bears senior director of player personnel, Jeff King, could influence his decision. This connection could potentially help the Bears in their pursuit of Johnson.

Still, ESPN’s Adam Schefter expressed caution about Johnson’s potential move to the Raiders, pointing out that he would be entering a highly competitive division with coaches like Sean Payton, Andy Reid, and Jim Harbaugh, and facing formidable quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.

Schefter noted that the Raiders have several challenges, including the lack of a quarterback and the difficulty of acquiring one without a top draft pick. “Good luck with that,” Schefter said, commenting on the difficulty of rebuilding the team.

Despite these obstacles, the Raiders do hold the sixth pick in the upcoming NFL draft and have a significant amount of salary cap space at $85.76 million, which could help them address their quarterback situation.

This financial flexibility might make the Raiders an appealing option for Johnson, as they could potentially acquire a top quarterback prospect through the draft.

In contrast, the Bears’ situation remains murky. While their interest in Johnson remains strong, their chances seem uncertain given the competition and structural challenges within the organization.

Ultimately, Johnson is in a position of power as he evaluates his options, and his decision will likely hinge on where he feels he has the best opportunity to succeed and build a program. Whether that’s with the Bears, the Raiders, or another team remains to be seen.