The timer is on for six teams with one final destination. To fill out the vacant head coach post. The New England Patriots are on the hunt for their next head coach, and the pressure is on to find the right fit after firing Jerod Mayo. But here’s the twist: one name that’s been popping up is Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions‘ offensive coordinator. Now, don’t get it twisted. Johnson’s not just handing out interviews to anyone. He’s being picky about which teams he meets with, but lucky for the Patriots, they made the cut.

According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots have scheduled an interview with Johnson virtually today. “Another big day in the Patriots coaching search. They are scheduled to interview Ben Johnson virtually today,” Graff shared the update via ‘X’. Johnson is restricted from in-person interviews, considering the Lions are in playoffs.

The Lions’ OC has a pretty packed schedule these days. The Patriots have locked in Friday for his interview, and then he’s off to talk with the Chicago Bears for the HC vacancy on Saturday. Johnson’s interview will come one day after the Patriots interviewed Mike Vrabel in person yesterday. “They interviewed Mike Vrabel in-person yesterday and he entered as the front runner for the job,” Graff further reported.

There’s no denying that Vrabel is the favorite for the head coaching role. However, given the Patriots‘ inconsistent offense this season, Johnson would certainly be a candidate to watch out for. And why wouldn’t he? I mean, the Lions’ OC is the hottest head coaching candidate in 2025. Under his guidance, the Lions have one of the best offenses in the league. Not to forget that the Lions recorded 33.2 points per game this season.

According to Graff, once his interview is wrapped up, Robert Kraft and the New England team may move ahead for a final decision for their next head coach. Seems like Johnson is the final candidate for them after the Patriots are done interviewing Vrabel and the Lions DC, Aaron Glenn. But the latter is (to put it mildly) sending the team a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ email.

Aaron Glenn has no interest in Robert Kraft’s Patriots

Speaking of the top names in the NFL head coaching market this year, the Lions coaching staff is making high noise. Besides Johnson, the Patriots also showed interest in the Lions’ defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn. However, the interest doesn’t seem to be mutual, as Glenn has rejected the New England team for the head coaching role.

“#Lions DC Aaron Glenn has declined an interview request from the #Patriots, per sources. Glenn will interview for the other five head coaching vacancies over the next few days,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. The team interviewed Glenn and Vrabel on Thursday and after the Lions’ DC’s decision against them, Vrabel is the front-runner for their next head coach.

Though playoffs are the big picture, Glenn will also be busy having a chat with the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday. His week will conclude with his next interview chat with the Jaguars and Bears on Sunday. Talk about a hefty week. And why wouldn’t it be? Under his coaching, the Lions just gave 20.1 points per game throughout the season. The Seventh best defense in the league.

Now it all comes to who’s gonna hire him. Speaking of the defense, the Saints have struggled with their defense this season. On the other hand, the DC had already served as the defensive backs in the Saints. Connecting all the dots, the Saints seem to be the top contender to finally hire Aaron Glenn as their next head coach.