The Las Vegas Raiders were heavily focused on landing Ben Johnson as their next head coach, with widespread rumors suggesting they were willing to do whatever it took to secure the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator.
However, the team’s lack of a viable quarterback proved to be a deal-breaker, leading Johnson to accept the Chicago Bears’ head coaching position instead. Initially, the Raiders appeared poised to hire Washington Commanders assistant GM and former Lions executive Lance Newmark to pair with Johnson.
With Johnson out of the picture, the Raiders seem to have shifted their focus away from Newmark and are now targeting Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant GM John Spytek, as reported by Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
“Spytek was part of the front office that brought Brady to Tampa Bay in 2020 and was his college teammate at Michigan. He’s now believed to be the front-runner at GM, according to league sources,” Reed and Tafur wrote in a January 20 column.
While Spytek’s connection to Tom Brady is noteworthy, his extensive resume makes him a strong candidate. With decades of experience across front offices for the Lions, Eagles, Browns, and Broncos, Spytek offers a depth of expertise that few other first-time GM candidates can match.
Johnson Turned Down Raiders Because of QB
It was surprising that the Raiders even managed to land an interview with Ben Johnson, given the team’s long playoff drought and ongoing quarterback issues. For a brief time, it seemed like the Raiders might pull off a miraculous hire, but ultimately, the quarterback situation proved too big of an obstacle.
“The uncertainty at quarterback was a major factor in Johnson’s decision to head elsewhere, according to league sources,” Reed and Tafur reported. “[Caleb] Williams, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, had a solid rookie season with the Bears and has the potential to become one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. That’s something the Raiders simply couldn’t match.”
While it remains to be seen whether Williams will live up to the hype, he undoubtedly offers more potential than Aidan O’Connell. It’s easy to understand why Johnson would find that more appealing.
Will Pete Carroll Be the Next Raiders Head Coach?
With the Raiders missing out on their top coaching candidate, they now need to pivot. Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is rumored to be the favorite for the job.
Carroll boasts a 170-120 record as a head coach, along with a Super Bowl championship. Over his 14 seasons with the Seahawks, he missed the playoffs only four times, establishing himself as one of the best head coaches of the 2000s. However, the major concern is that he will turn 74 during the 2025 season, making him the oldest head coach in NFL history.
While Carroll remains in excellent health for his age, it would be an unconventional choice to entrust a full rebuild to the oldest coach in the league. The Raiders’ coaching vacancy isn’t particularly appealing, especially with the widespread knowledge that Ben Johnson was their first choice. Still, if Carroll is their only viable option, it could be worse, given his track record and experience.