Ben Johnson’s Outreach to Dennis Allen Stirs Controversy Among Lions Fans
The Detroit Lions have found themselves at the center of controversy following the revelation that former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson reached out to former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen late in the 2024 season to discuss potential future opportunities. This move has left many Lions fans frustrated, as Johnson, who was preparing for a Super Bowl push with the Lions, appeared to be laying the groundwork for his next career move, despite still being with the team.
In an interview at his new job with the Chicago Bears, Allen confirmed that Johnson had contacted him to gauge his interest in working together with a first-time NFL head coach. Allen stated, “At some point as we got later in the season he reached out to me just to see if I would be interested,” adding that he was open to the idea. “I think him leaning on those guys in reference to me and me leaning on those guys in reference to him, we both felt like this was a really good fit.”
While Allen expressed that he values the relationship, the timing of the outreach raised eyebrows, especially considering that Johnson was still with the Lions as they made their playoff push. Lions fans, already sensitive to changes within their team’s coaching staff, were angered by the idea that Johnson was potentially already eyeing a future elsewhere.
Despite the controversy, Allen is now focused on bringing a tough, physical, and aggressive brand of football to the Bears’ defense. “We want to take the fight to the offense and not let the offense dictate the tempo to us. We’re going to be aggressive. We’re going to challenge everything,” Allen explained.
As for the Lions, their focus has shifted toward the future with new hires, including offensive coordinator John Morton and passing game coordinator David Shaw, continuing to reshape the staff and build upon the success they found in 2024. However, the lingering fallout from Johnson’s outreach to Allen remains a sore spot for some fans.
Ben Johnson’s Outreach to Dennis Allen Sparks Fury Among Lions Fans
