Caleb Williams says he ‘loves’ Ben Johnson, and Detroit can’t unhear it.

The Painful Reality of NFC North Breakups

Let’s be honest—breakups are hard. But breakups where your ex immediately starts thriving with a divisional rival? That’s heartbreak on another level.

Detroit Lions fans are experiencing exactly that as they watch former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson live his best life… with the Chicago Bears. And the sting? It just got worse. Because Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is absolutely gushing over his new head coach, like they’ve been best friends since Pop Warner.

“He’s Tough—and I Love Him”

At Fanatics Fest, Williams didn’t hold back. When asked about working with Johnson, he might as well have whipped out a friendship bracelet and matching hoodies.

“Ben Johnson’s great,” Williams said. “We hang out in his office, and we have lunch sometimes, things like that.”

Lunch dates? Inside jokes? “Choice words” that build their special little bond?

“He’s tough, and I love him,” Williams added.

Yeah. That sound you hear? It’s the collective eye twitch of every Lions fan who watched Johnson help transform Jared Goff’s career. Now, he’s doing the same thing for Chicago’s franchise QB?

Lions Fans: We Knew This Day Might Come

Sure, we all knew Ben Johnson wouldn’t stay in Detroit forever. He was too good not to be poached. But why did it have to be the Bears? Couldn’t he have gone to, say, the Commanders? Or, like, anywhere not in the NFC North?

Instead, Johnson is now coaching the No. 1 overall pick—one with swagger, talent, and a disturbingly fast-growing bromance that could turn the tide in Chicago. Lions fans may be on a Super Bowl path, but you can’t ignore what’s brewing down I-94.

Meanwhile, Back in the D…

There is a silver lining. The Lions still have Dan Campbell at the helm. Jared Goff is thriving. The culture is strong. The team is stacked.

And speaking of Detroit love stories—Z’Darius Smith might be writing one of his own. After being traded in midseason and dating Detroit rapper Kash Doll, he’s making it very clear he wants to come back to Motown.

“Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit,” Smith said.

So maybe while one chapter closes (painfully, in Chicago), another is ready to be written right at home.

The Bottom Line

Ben Johnson may be gone, but the impact he had in Detroit will last far longer than any Bears honeymoon phase. That said… if Caleb Williams starts lighting it up in 2025, don’t be surprised if Lions fans ask for a restraining order on the word “bro.”