Detroit is still a week away from a playoff game that could lead to a historic Super Bowl.
But the Lions are already dealing with a major controversy, and it all has to do with Tom Brady.
Tom Brady is in the middle of the NFL playoffs even though he’s retired as a player[/caption]
While Dan Campbell and his resilient Detroit crew prepare for an NFC Divisional Round home game against Jayden Daniels and Washington Commanders, Brady is calling the postseason for FOX on a record-breaking $375 million contract.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner has balanced criticism and praise all season while finding his voice as a rookie in the TV booth.
But Brady is also a new part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, and that’s where the trouble starts.
Brady has been “imploring” Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to seriously consider the Raiders’ head coach opening, according to NFL Network.
Johnson, who is the hottest remaining name on the coaching market after the New England Patriots hired Brady’s former teammate Mike Vrabel, has already interviewed with a Las Vegas team that went 4-13 last season and holds the No. 6 pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
But since Johnson has been a hot candidate for two years, he’s making a calculated decision to pick the best job at the perfect time — and the Raiders have been a mess for years.
Enter Brady, who already was dealing with a conflict of interest while calling NFL games and being a minority NFL owner.
“Why would Ben Johnson be interested in a job that doesn’t have a quarterback?” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said.
“Tom Brady has loomed large recruiting Ben Johnson, imploring him to take the interview and consider the Raiders.”
While Brady is reportedly doing everything he can to get Johnson to take the Raiders’ head coaching job – and that includes firing one-year general manager Tom Telesco – the former New England Patriots quarterback is also set to call the Lions’ playoff game on Saturday against the Commanders.
Ben Johnson is the hottest coaching prospect in the league[/caption]
Brady is calling playoff games on TV while being active in the Raiders’ coaching search[/caption]
The seven-time Super Bowl winner is impossible to miss in retirement[/caption]
Which means that Brady is effectively trying to get Johnson to leave the Lions, and the TV announcer will be privy to inside information — and be near Johnson this weekend at Ford Field in Detroit.
The unavoidable ‘conflict’ left NFL fans furious, with many calling for the league to finally step in and take Brady off the air.
“Isn’t that tampering?” one fan tweeted. “He’s currently under contract lol.”
“Tom Brady was not apart of my projections when I guaranteed Ben returning,” a second fan wrote. “F***, I don’t like this feeling.”
“I smell a violation of league rules somewhere,” a third fan posted.
“F*** Tom Brady,” a fourth fan said. “Be an owner and get out of the booth.”
Since Week 1, Brady has been flagged by fans who believe that his announcing skills haven’t been good enough to be a No. 1 voice for the NFL.
While Brady has flubbed lines and appeared anxious, Greg Olsen — who lost his top job to Brady — has remained a fan favorite.
But with the Super Bowl looming and the NFL coaching market in full swing, Brady splitting time as an active part-owner and being in the middle of some of the league’s biggest games has left fans searching for answers.
“Brady should not be commentating,” a fan tweeted.
“CONFLICT OF INTEREST,” a second fan wrote.
Brady is already prevented from directly criticizing other teams and referees, and he can’t enter team facilities or attend practices.
The lack of access has left some fans insisting that Brady is unprepared when he calls games on TV.
This week, the GOAT of QBs will face a bigger balancing act than ever before.
Brady could help the Lions lose their offensive coordinator, while Detroit is trying to beat the Commanders and win the Super Bowl.
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