Adam Schefter maintains Bears still in play for Ben Johnson

The Chicago Bears are in the middle of their head coach search, and there are two names who have emerged as top contenders: Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.

But the Bears have some competition for Johnson with the Las Vegas Raiders, and there's been a lot of media chatter indicating Johnson to Vegas is a sure thing. But ESPN's Adam Schefter continues to downplay that the Raiders are the favorite for Johnson.

"I know everybody's got Ben Johnson anointed to the Raiders. I'm not in that camp right now," Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday. "I'll have to believe it before I see it."

Schefter admitted that Johnson very well could wind up in Las Vegas, but he's not convinced given the overall situation. Yes, Johnson could hire his own general manager (after the Raiders fired Tom Telesco) and Tom Brady remains a strong influence. But Vegas is also in the NFL's best division and without a quarterback.

"If you're picking the Raiders, you're telling me that Ben Johnson turned down the chance to coach Jayden Daniels last year -- turned that down -- so he could go to a place this year in Las Vegas without a top pick, without a quarterback that plays in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Bo Nix, Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh, Sean Payton. Does that make sense to you?"

For all of the discussion about Johnson to the Raiders, Schefter wonders why people aren't discussing the Bears as serious contenders.

"I don't know where he's going to go," Schefter said of Johnson. "He's going to have three realistic options. But why is everyone ignoring Chicago when it comes to Ben Johnson? Why has that just been dispelled? I don't get it. What am I missing here?"

Sure, the Bears organization also has their issues. The front office has botched their most recent hires, there are question marks about the power structure with president Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles and they do have to compete in the NFC North.

But Johnson has reportedly expressed strong interest in the Chicago job last offseason (before the Bears stuck with Matt Eberflus) and he's praised quarterback Caleb Williams for his potential.

One thing is for certain, this coaching search is far from over. Especially as Johnson can't take second interviews until after the Super Bowl favorite Lions are eliminated from the playoffs.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Adam Schefter maintains Bears still in play for Ben Johnson