By Sunday 
Detroit is still very much in love with Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions—that hasn’t changed. What has changed is the mood. A year after sitting on top of the NFC, the Lions wrapped up the 2025–26 season at 9–8, outside the playoff picture, and staring at an uncomfortable question fans can’t seem to shake: regret.
When Winning Was the Standard
Not long ago, Detroit was a model of stability and swagger. Campbell had restored belief. The offense hummed. Expectations soared. Then came the offseason—and the exit of Ben Johnson.
Johnson didn’t just leave; he landed in Chicago and immediately changed the temperature in the NFC North. Now leading the Chicago Bears, he has them playing meaningful January football. Meanwhile, Detroit is watching from home.
The What-Ifs Are Getting Louder
That contrast has fueled the regret. Analysts and fans point to the obvious: Detroit’s offense hasn’t looked the same. Johnson’s creativity, rhythm, and feel for the game are clearly missed. And with Chicago surging, the comparison feels unavoidable.
In a recent Sports Illustrated feature, John Maakaron tackled the growing chatter head-on. He noted how different things look in Chicago, writing that Johnson has “taken everything that was once great in Detroit and injected it into an organization that had not had any playoff success since 2011.”
That’s the line that stings.
Was Replacing Campbell Ever Realistic?
As tempting as revisionist history can be, Maakaron makes one thing clear: firing Campbell would’ve been unprecedented. After a 15-win season and an NFC No. 1 seed, there was no universe where general manager Brad Holmes pulled that trigger.
Campbell, after all, “has done a masterful job of repairing the reputation of the Lions.” Detroit went from dormant to demanding—where every decision is dissected because Super Bowl expectations now feel justified.
That’s progress. But progress also brings pressure.
Regret Doesn’t Mean Wrong—But It Does Mean Decisions Ahead
Letting Johnson walk wasn’t outrageous at the time. It felt logical. Still, watching him thrive elsewhere has turned logic into lingering regret. The Lions now face a critical stretch where leadership, adaptability, and staffing choices will matter more than ever.
The irony? This is the kind of problem good teams have. Detroit isn’t hopeless—it’s close. But being close can be the most frustrating place to live.
A Reminder of the Coaching Tree
One more reminder of Johnson’s influence came recently when former Lions quarterback David Blough was hired as offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. Johnson praised Blough, calling him “really smart” and predicting a head-coaching future.
It’s another sign that Detroit’s old room was full of rising minds.
The Final Thought
Regret doesn’t mean the Lions failed. It means expectations have changed—and that’s a compliment. But as Ben Johnson wins elsewhere, Detroit has to decide how it evolves next. Because in the NFL, yesterday’s success only buys you questions today.