Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson didn’t hold back after Sunday’s letdown, admitting the team’s effort wasn’t where it needed to be. Following the Lions’ disappointing Week 2 loss, Johnson was blunt in his assessment: the opposing team simply played harder, and that reality falls on both him and his players.
“They played harder than us,” Johnson said postgame. “And that’s a reflection on me and the players. We’ve got to own that.”
For a Lions squad that has prided itself on toughness and discipline under Dan Campbell, Johnson’s comments strike a chord. Detroit entered the season with heightened expectations, fueled by last year’s playoff run and an offense projected to be one of the NFL’s most dangerous. But sloppy execution, missed opportunities, and an inability to match the other side’s energy showed cracks that Johnson refuses to ignore.
The coordinator emphasized that this isn’t about talent but about mindset and effort — two things within the team’s control. He also stressed that the Lions can’t afford to let one performance define them, especially this early in the season.
Detroit will have a chance to prove Johnson’s words weren’t just talk when they take the field again in Week 3. For now, though, his accountability is a reminder that the Lions’ staff isn’t shying away from criticism — they’re facing it head-on.
Ben Johnson Admits Harsh Truth After Lions’ Loss: “They Played Harder Than Us”
