Tom Brady has thrown a curve ball here. His words have fans scratching their heads. Saturday’s game will be remembered for ages. And not just for the Commanders‘ resilience. This game offered a lot of spectacles. But perhaps it raised more questions than it answered. One such question was that of the future Raiders HC. And if you think Brady’s holding any cards close to his chest, you’ll have to think again after hearing his comments from the game. Then think some more because of who they addressed.
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Brady made his opinions on Ben Johnson‘s play calling crystal clear. He simply called a trick play set up by the Lions OC “gimmicky.” The play in question? Ben Johnson dialed up a risky call trailing by 10 points. He tasked wide receiver Jameson Williams with throwing downfield. The gamble backfired spectacularly when Williams’ pass was intercepted. And it led to a Commanders touchdown drive that sealed Detroit’s fate. The decision drew heavy criticism from fans and analysts. “They tried to run something a little gimmicky. Pass the ball to St. Brown, then reverse,” Brady said. “And at this point, Williams trying to make a decision… not a great time for a trick play.” This was in contrast to the earlier part of the game when Brady was talking up Johnson’s play calling.
Tom Brady just said “not a good time for a trick play” about Ben Johnson oh god is Ben Johnson to Vegas COOKED????????
— alex (@bantheshift) January 19, 2025
Detroit was trailing 31-21 during the third quarter when the Lions dug into their bag of tricks. Jared Goff pitched the ball to David Montgomery. He appeared poised to charge through the defense. Instead, Montgomery pitched a quick shovel pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown. He promptly sprinted upfield for a massive 20-yard gain. Brady was calling the game for FOX. And he couldn’t hide his amazement: “What? I’ve never seen that in my life!” Considering Brady’s 23-season career, that’s high praise.
“Great execution and I guess when you believe in your players so much, you’ll basically do anything,” Tom Brady added. This moment wasn’t just about one play. It underscored why Johnson is among the hottest coaching candidates. His offense has been electric all season and was rated second in the league. He posted averages of 33.2 points and 423.9 yards per game. Johnson has become the top candidate for the Raiders‘ head coaching position. And Brady is directly involved in the hiring process.
Johnson’s innovative schemes have earned him widespread praise. However, the divisional loss highlighted the fine line between creativity and risk. The fallout from Brady’s comments has fans and analysts questioning whether Johnson is the right fit for a rebuilding Raiders team.
Brady addresses Raiders HC rumors on FOX
Brady’s connection to the Raiders has faced scrutiny since the NFL approved his minority ownership in October. His involvement in coaching interviews has amplified the debate. This includes interviews with Johnson. FOX’s Kevin Burkhardt didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room during the broadcast.
Burkhardt joked, “You’re stuck with me for the next 10 years.” He referenced Brady’s $375 million FOX deal. Brady quipped back, “Happily. I’d bite some kneecaps for you, K.B.!”—a nod to Lions coach Dan Campbell. Burkhardt directly asked Brady about his dual responsibilities. “It’s just been a great learning experience,” Brady responded. “The league’s full of great potential.” His remarks were diplomatic. And it didn’t silence critics who see his role as more influential than he admits.
Adding fuel to the fire, Raiders owner Mark Davis described Brady’s input as “huge” in shaping the team’s future. “What I believe is that the resumes, the accolades, are all earned by what people do on the field,” Brady told Burkhardt. The Lions OC’s imaginative playcalling on Saturday might have bolstered or flunked his case, with Johnson rumored to be Brady’s top choice.
For his part, Johnson remains a top candidate for the Raiders job. The Lions’ offense has thrived under his leadership. In addition to Goff, he has brought the best out of talents like Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta. However, the trick play’s failure and subsequent interception by Jameson Williams gave detractors ammunition.
Whether Brady’s comments help or hinder Johnson’s Raiders prospects remains to be seen. Maybe he’s just a presenter airing his opinions after all.
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Did Tom Brady just sabotage Ben Johnson's chances at the Raiders with his harsh critique?
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Did Tom Brady just sabotage Ben Johnson's chances at the Raiders with his harsh critique?
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