Lions GM Was Totally Caught Off Guard by Ben Johnson Joining the Bears
Lions GM Brad Holmes didn’t see Ben Johnson landing in Chicago — and he’s still wrapping his head around it.
While chatting on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long, Holmes admitted that Johnson, now the Bears’ head coach, wasn’t someone he expected to see on the NFC North rival’s sideline.
“Yeah, he had a bunch of interviews — Chicago, New England, Jacksonville, Vegas — so I wasn’t sure where he’d end up,” Holmes said. “I honestly thought Chicago would be the last place. Or maybe I just hoped that.”
Johnson’s move to the Bears means he’ll now be in charge of developing No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams — and possibly turning Chicago into a serious threat in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions. Holmes knows exactly how good Johnson is, which makes the whole thing sting even more.
“I was happy for him, truly. He’s a heck of a coach,” Holmes said. “But still… why Chicago?”
Holmes said he only found out for sure when Johnson accepted the job and gave him a quick heads-up. On top of that, the Lions lost a couple more coaches to Chicago — including WRs coach Antwaan Randle El and QBs coach J.T. Barrett.
The Lions did fill the OC spot by promoting John Morton, who once ran the Jets’ offense under Todd Bowles in 2017 (not exactly a highlight reel year). Holmes says head coach Dan Campbell plans to tweak the offense no matter what, so he doesn’t expect a huge shift in philosophy.
Still, the Lions face the Bears — and their former play-caller — early this season in Week 2 at Ford Field. So, it won’t take long to see what Ben Johnson’s cooking in Chicago.
“Lions GM Caught Off Guard by Ben Johnson’s Windy City Jump”
