Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer will spend time with Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady in production meetings before Brady serves as Fox’s lead analyst for this Sunday’s matchup involving the Bears and Cowboys.
While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, both Johnson and Schottenheimer brushed off any concerns about giving Brady extra access even though the Bears and Cowboys will face the Raiders later in the season. Chicago plays at Las Vegas in Week 4, while the Raiders will host the Cowboys in Week 11.
Ben Johnson isn’t worried about giving Tom Brady access
“I’m really not worried about it,” Johnson said about speaking with Brady, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “I mean, we change week to week in terms of what we do. Schematically, he’s going to be able to turn on the tape and see what everyone else in the world is seeing right now. Personnel-wise, really the same thing. It’s not like I’m going to sit down with him and say, ‘Hey, don’t do this to (quarterback) Caleb Williams or you might get it!’ Like, there’s not going to be any trade secrets that are going to be exchanged. But I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal to be honest with you.”
Conflict-of-interest takes regarding Brady working for Fox while being a minority owner of the Raiders existed long before he was spotted wearing a headset in Las Vegas’ coaching booth during the club’s 20-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers this past Monday. Per relaxed rules related to his Fox role, Brady is permitted to virtually participate in production meetings with players and coaches and also speak with players and coaches on the field ahead of a game.
Brian Schottenheimer gets honest about who knows what
“Hey look, everybody has everybody’s playbooks,” Schottenheimer acknowledged. “Everybody knows somebody that knows somebody that’s been someplace. I don’t have a problem with [Brady’s situation]. Some people might, but look, I’ll talk football with anybody. I love the game, and what Tom does with his ownership position is up to Tom. But in terms of me being concerned about something I might say to Tom getting back to [Raiders head coach Pete Carroll] or getting back to them, I think Pete and I know each other pretty well.”
An unnamed “ownership source” revealed this week that some within the league believe Brady gives the Raiders an “advantage” by taking part in production meetings as a minority owner. However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic (h/t Bleacher Report) reported during the latest edition of the “Scoop City” podcast that “there are some teams who are like, ‘I do not care'” about Brady having access typically not given to any owner of a franchise.
Sean Payton isn’t losing sleep over the Tom Brady situation
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton goes up against the Raiders twice per season, as the teams are division foes. Payton seemingly isn’t worried about what Brady does and/or doesn’t find out about other clubs while working for Fox.
“It doesn’t concern me,” Payton said Wednesday, according to Eva Geitheim of Sports Illustrated. “Meaning, I understand he’s part-ownership with a division opponent. I get that. And then he covers games…that doesn’t bother me.”