By Sunday 
If you’re still catching your breath from the Detroit Lions’ explosive 2024 season, you’re not alone. Powered by a sharp Jared Goff, a deep backfield, and a young receiving corps that kept defenses guessing, Detroit didn’t just compete — they dominated. The Lions finished with a dazzling 15-2 record and led the entire NFL in scoring.
But with Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson now off to coach the Chicago Bears, one question looms over the Motor City: Can they do it again?
A Touchdown-Heavy Machine
Let’s start with the basics: the Lions racked up 564 total points last season — that’s a whopping 33.2 points per game, the most in the league.
It wasn’t just flashy big plays. This offense was ruthlessly efficient. Out of 182 total offensive drives, Detroit ended 68 of them with touchdowns. That’s a 37.4% touchdown efficiency, putting them comfortably ahead of the second-best team, Buffalo. They scored on more than half their drives, and importantly, they didn’t settle for field goals — they finished drives.
No doubt, much of this success had Ben Johnson’s fingerprints all over it. He crafted one of the most balanced and creative offensive attacks in the league, blending power runs with screen finesse and vertical shots that made Jared Goff look like prime MVP material again.
Ben Johnson’s Exit: Loss or Launchpad?
Ben Johnson heading to Chicago isn’t just a Lions storyline — it’s an NFC shakeup. He was instrumental in designing the offensive identity Detroit came to own. Losing him would be a death knell for many teams.
But here’s the thing — Detroit isn’t most teams.
Much of the Lions’ offensive firepower is still on the roster:
- Jared Goff is still under center and playing the best football of his career.
- Jahmyr Gibbs is only getting started after a breakout season.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to torch secondaries.
- And the offensive line? Still one of the nastiest, most disciplined units in football.
The bones of this attack are intact, even without Johnson.
Who Steps In?
The Lions haven’t officially named a new OC with Johnson’s level of recognition, but the expectation is continuity. Head coach Dan Campbell isn’t about to throw out what worked so well. Expect a promotion from within — someone who’s already synced with the playbook, the personnel, and the mindset of this offense.
The philosophy won’t change overnight: finish drives, apply pressure, and keep defenses reacting. And the locker room? Still fired up. Still hungry. Still obsessed with proving Detroit belongs in the NFL elite.
Bottom Line: A Chance to Double Down
Losing a star coordinator like Ben Johnson hurts, sure. But it might also be the perfect test for a team looking to prove last season wasn’t a fluke. The Lions now face a challenge — not just to win, but to evolve.
With the firepower still in place and a culture that’s bought into the grind, don’t be surprised if we’re still talking about Detroit’s offense come January — and maybe even February.