Ben Johnson Faces Challenges in Patriots’ Coaching Search
Ben Johnson’s pursuit of the Patriots’ head coaching role faces significant hurdles
Ben Johnson, New England Patriots, NFL, Detroit Lions, Mike Vrabel, Robert Kraft
Boston: So, Ben Johnson is in a bit of a tough spot as he chases the head coach job with the Patriots. He’s got some serious competition and a few hurdles to jump over.
He’s set to chat with the Patriots on Friday, but here’s the catch: it’s all happening over a screen. NFL rules say he can’t meet in person until the Lions’ season wraps up. If they make it to the Super Bowl, he might get a chance to meet the Krafts during a bye week. Talk about a bummer!
Now, Johnson and Mike Vrabel are seen as the top candidates for head coaching gigs this year. But Vrabel has a bit of an edge since he’s free to interview in person. He’s already met with the Jets, which some folks think was a smart move to grab the Patriots’ attention.
Imagine being Robert Kraft right now. You’ve got a Hall of Famer in Vrabel, who you know can handle the job. Then there’s Johnson, who’s brilliant but a bit of a mystery. He’s busy prepping for a Super Bowl run and will have to impress Kraft over Zoom. Not the best situation for him.
It’s a tough break for Johnson, especially since face-to-face meetings are a big deal for Kraft. Can he really wow him through a video call? That’s the first big challenge he’s facing.
Then there’s the fact that he’d be stepping in as a rookie head coach after another rookie. The Krafts might not be too keen on that idea. Plus, with the Patriots already interviewing other candidates, they could move quickly to hire Vrabel after their talks.
It’s a rough road for Johnson, who’s one of the brightest minds in football. But hey, that’s just how it goes in this business!