By Blessing 
Brad Holmes on Ben Johnson’s Departure to Chicago: “Man, Why Chicago?”
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently opened up about the departure of former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and let’s just say—he wasn’t thrilled about the destination.
While speaking on a podcast, Holmes made it clear he was proud of Johnson’s career advancement, but he couldn’t hide his mixed feelings, especially since Johnson chose to join one of Detroit’s biggest rivals—the Chicago Bears.
“You know, obviously there are multiple jobs that were open that cycle, and so…I knew he had interviewed for Chicago, but he interviewed for a lot of the other positions too. So I really didn’t know which way it was gonna go. I was thinking Chicago would probably been the last destination…but no, I really didn’t know that was happening till he accepted the job, and we had a little talk briefly before he left. I was happy for him. He is a hell of a coach, and you know they have a really good one up there, but yeah, it’s just a little like, ‘Man, why Chicago?’”
Johnson’s exit undoubtedly leaves a big gap in Detroit’s coaching staff. Under his leadership, the Lions’ offense blossomed into one of the league’s most dangerous units, finishing top five in total offense in both 2023 and 2024. His play-calling, creativity, and leadership played a huge role in the team’s offensive identity—and now, he’s taking all of that to a division rival.
What makes this tougher for Holmes and the Lions is that they’ll now face Johnson twice a year. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, that’s a bitter pill to swallow.
Chicago, meanwhile, may have landed the piece they’ve been missing for years. Johnson brings a proven offensive mind and a knack for building winning culture. His success in Detroit wasn’t just about scheme—it was about player development, adaptability, and fostering belief in the system.
He now steps into a promising situation in Chicago, where he’s expected to shape an offense around rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams. Early reports from minicamp suggest Johnson already has a plan to bring the best out of Williams, including an increased use of play-action, something that suited Detroit’s system well.
Still, the road ahead won’t be easy. The NFC North remains one of the most competitive divisions in football. Despite losing Johnson and longtime center Frank Ragnow to retirement, Detroit still has a strong core. The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings also remain legitimate threats, making Johnson’s job in Chicago all the more challenging.
If he succeeds, though, it could mark a major turning point for the Bears—a team that’s long struggled to find offensive consistency. With Johnson at the helm and a talented young quarterback under center, Chicago might finally be on the path to relevance again.
And for Brad Holmes and the Lions, the pain of losing Johnson could turn into a thorn that pokes them twice a season.