A lingering concern in Detroit is whether Dan Campbell’s team can cope with the loss of key coaching staff. The departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, credited with the Lions’ creative and high-scoring offense, hasn’t raised any doubts from Johnson himself about the future of the team he’s leaving behind.
“They’re in our division and they’re a rival now, but that runway has been built there. (General manager) Brad (Holmes) and Dan have really built that roster up,” Johnson, who is now the head coach of the rival Bears, remarked during his introductory press conference on Wednesday, as reported by The Detroit News. “I think they’re going to be a juggernaut. I really do.”
While Johnson framed his comments as part of explaining why Chicago would be his next challenge, he also implied that Detroit shouldn’t be concerned about finding a new play-caller.
“I think we are going to have to give them our best shot each and every year from here on out, because they’ve accumulated such great, young talent,” Johnson noted. “It doesn’t matter who the play-caller is there anymore, in my opinion. I think that offense is going to be a good offense for the next three to five years.”
While it’s possible Johnson is simply trying to flatter a new rival or ease the impact of his departure, only time will tell if Detroit can replicate its offensive success without him.
In 2024, the Lions scored 20 or more points in 16 of their 17 games and topped 40 points in six games, tying for the most by any team in a season historically.
Over the three years Johnson called plays, his offense never finished below fifth in points or yards. In 2024, Detroit ranked second in passing yards and fourth in touchdowns, despite being just 16th in pass attempts—showcasing its explosive potential.
In their playoff loss to Washington, the Lions totaled 521 yards and gained 30 first downs. While some decisions during the game, like going empty on third-and-1 or calling a pass for receiver Jameson Williams, may have been questionable, the key factors in their defeat were five turnovers and a defense that struggled to stop Washington.
“I’m still reeling through some of those feelings myself right now,” Johnson said, reflecting on the playoff loss. “It’s a hard thing to do, when you’re around a group of guys as committed as we were to not only winning a division title, but getting the No. 1 seed in the playoffs — but following through by winning a Super Bowl and coming up short the way that we did. I’m still reeling through that, what I could have done differently.”
Campbell’s decision to elevate the relatively unknown Johnson as the play-caller paid off, and now, as back-to-back NFC North champions, the Lions will be hoping Campbell can discover another gem on his coaching staff.
