Ben Johnson has a local tie and a connection with the Patriots' most important player. Read more on Boston.com.

The Patriots met with Johnson over a Zoom call since the Lions are currently in the postseason. It happened a day after the team met with former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel.

The New England Patriots could be on the verge of hiring their next coach after completing an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday, the fourth candidate to be brought in as part of the search to fill the vacancy created by the firing of Jerod Mayo.