By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions are currently enjoying one of the most successful periods in their modern history, thanks to the leadership of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes. However, a significant part of their recent success also came from former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, whose influence on the team was undeniable.
Johnson, who became one of the most sought-after coordinators in the NFL after both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, recently took a head coaching position with the Chicago Bears. While his departure is a considerable loss for the Lions, it could actually prove to be even more damaging than many expect.
At just 38 years old, Johnson transformed the Lions’ offense into one of the most dynamic and balanced units in the league. Over the past few years, his innovative play calling and deep understanding of the game turned Detroit’s offense into a powerhouse. Of course, having a talented offensive line and elite players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Sam LaPorta helped, but it was Johnson’s ability to maximize his personnel that truly made the offense shine.
The Chicago Bears recognized Johnson’s talents and offered him a lucrative deal, knowing they needed a head coach of his caliber to lead their franchise. While Detroit still has a solid roster in place, losing Johnson is a significant setback, especially after their surprise early exit in the playoffs, where they were defeated by the Commanders in the Divisional Round.
So, how much of a loss is this really for the Lions? According to an NFL executive who spoke to The Athletic, “Ben Johnson took total advantage of the four-down game-management approach because he’s a really, really good play caller, an evil genius, really.” Another exec even compared the loss to the Rams losing Sean McVay, adding, “Losing him would almost be like the Rams losing Sean McVay.”
Such high praise is not given lightly, considering McVay’s reputation as one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football. While Johnson may not immediately reach that level in Chicago, the bar has certainly been set high.