Ben Johnson faces several headwinds in Patriots' coaching search

The NFL hiring cycle has an odd way of punishing the league's best and brightest. And one of said best and brightest is at a disadvantage right out of the chutes as he pursues the open head coach gig in New England.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will meet with the Patriots on Friday. When he does, it'll be on a screen.

NFL rules mandate that coaches working for other teams can only be interviewed remotely at this point. The Krafts can't meet with Johnson in person until Detroit's season is over. (If the Lions make the Super Bowl, Johnson could visit New England during the bye week beforehand.)

But with Johnson and Mike Vrabel widely considered to be the two best candidates for head…