By Sunday 
A Familiar Face, A Rival Destination
When Ben Johnson left the Detroit Lions to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears, it wasn’t just another offseason move—it stung. Johnson had earned his stripes as Detroit’s offensive coordinator, helping to reshape the team into a legitimate NFC contender. But seeing him take the reins of one of the Lions’ most bitter rivals? That one hit differently for fans in the Motor City.
Sure, you can’t blame the guy for chasing a head coaching dream. But Lions fans had every reason to feel uneasy watching him link up with No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams, seemingly poised to retool the Bears’ offense in 2025.
Now, thanks to a recent fan poll, the mood in Detroit is shifting—and in the best way possible.
Over 9,000 Votes, One Clear Message: “It’s Always Been Dan”
NFL analyst Warren Sharp recently ran a poll asking fans where the Lions’ recent success should be credited: to former coordinators like Johnson and Aaron Glenn—or to the man still steering the ship, head coach Dan Campbell.
The results were a breath of fresh, blue-collar Detroit air: most fans picked Campbell.
In Sharp’s words, “Over 9,000 votes and most think Dan Campbell was most responsible for the Lions’ success, so losing both Ben Johnson & Aaron Glenn [is] not a big issue for the average person.”
Ouch—for Chicago, at least.
“The Guy Changed the Entire Culture”
Many fans chimed in with praise not just for Campbell, but for the trio of leadership that’s turned Detroit’s franchise around: Campbell, GM Brad Holmes, and team owner Sheila Ford Hamp.
One fan nailed it:
“The Lions’ success is three-fold. First, Sheila becoming owner and understanding how to run an org. Second, identifying Holmes and then Campbell. Those three turned everything around.”
Others simply pointed to Campbell’s energy and impact as unmatched:
“The guy changed the entire culture and identity of that team. Makes sense to me.”
The message is clear—Campbell wasn’t just part of the Lions’ rise. He was the rise.
So… Bad News for the Bears?
Johnson may very well prove himself in Chicago. He’s bright, creative, and has shown plenty of promise. But the narrative shifting around him suggests something troubling for Bears fans: Johnson may not have been the engine behind Detroit’s transformation. And if that’s true, his appointment in Chicago is less a bold hire and more a gamble on potential.
Detroit, meanwhile, still has the man who set the tone, built the culture, and delivered results—and fans now feel more confident than ever.
The Bottom Line
Ben Johnson’s exit may have felt like a gut punch at first, but time—and over 9,000 NFL fans—are healing the wound. And now, instead of dread, Detroit is looking ahead with something far more exciting: belief.
With Dan Campbell still at the helm, the Lions aren’t worried about the coaches they’ve lost. They’re focused on the Super Bowl run that still lies ahead.