Ben Johnson might not shed real tears over this news—but it sure wouldn’t blame him if he felt some type of way.
The Detroit Lions’ offense just got a huge boost in respect around the league, and it’s the kind of news that could make their former offensive coordinator wish he never left for Chicago.
In ESPN’s latest offensive rankings, analyst Bill Barnwell ranked the Lions as the No. 2 offense in the entire NFL heading into the 2025 season. That’s up from No. 7 last year—and yeah, the only team ahead of them is the reigning Super Bowl champs, the Eagles.
Barnwell credited the rise to guys like Amon-Ra St. Brown, who continues to defy expectations with elite-level play. St. Brown posted an insane 81.6% catch rate last season—second-best for any wide receiver with 100+ targets since 1992. That’s not just solid; that’s historic.
He also showed love to the rest of Detroit’s playmakers and made it clear: this offense is stacked. And remember, NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice didn’t even hesitate—he ranked the Lions as the No. 1 offense overall.
But not everything is perfect. Barnwell pointed out the obvious: Johnson’s departure to the Bears could impact the offense’s creativity. “There probably won’t be the same endless array of trick plays and brilliant adjustments,” he wrote.
That said, John Morton now has the keys to the Lions’ offensive machine. If he can keep it humming, Detroit should be just fine.
Oh—and where are Johnson’s new Bears in the same rankings? Way down at No. 25.
Detroit isn’t just aiming for the playoffs anymore—they’re thinking Super Bowl. And if they get there, best believe Ben Johnson will be watching.
Lions Offense Ranked No. 2 in NFL, Leaving Ben Johnson’s Bears in the Dust
