By Sunday 
When Your Ex Starts Glowing Up Without You
Let’s just say it—Ben Johnson might be smiling through gritted teeth right now.
After jumping ship from Detroit to take over the Chicago Bears’ offense, Johnson probably expected a fresh start, maybe even a competitive edge against his former team. But if the latest NFL rankings are anything to go by, he might want to keep a tissue nearby—because the Lions just got some seriously feel-good news about their offensive squad. And it’s the kind of glow-up that stings… just a little.
Lions’ Offense Roars Into the Top Tier
According to a July 8 report by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Detroit Lions now boast the No. 2 ranked offense in the entire NFL heading into the 2025-26 season. Yes, you read that right. Only the Philadelphia Eagles are flying higher on this list. That’s a massive jump from last year’s No. 7 spot, and it’s got fans (and maybe a few salty ex-coordinators) doing double takes.
Barnwell didn’t just toss out rankings—he backed it up with some sweet statistical love. He highlighted Amon-Ra St. Brown, who’s basically evolving into a living legend. “For a player who was originally a fourth-round pick and then written off as strictly a slot receiver,” Barnwell wrote, “Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to exceed expectations.” With a catch rate north of 81% and elite-level success on targets, the guy is rewriting the slot receiver narrative with every game.
And it’s not just Amon-Ra. From quarterback Jared Goff to a stacked offensive line, Barnwell paints a picture of a well-oiled machine—one that might have Johnson nervously checking his Bears’ playbook.
The One (Tiny) Cloud on Detroit’s Blue-Sky Outlook
Now, not everything is sunshine and perfectly executed trick plays. Barnwell did acknowledge the elephant in the room: Ben Johnson’s departure. “The only knock I can place on the Lions’ playmaker spots is the departure of one of the league’s schematic masterminds,” he noted.
That’s a fair point. Johnson’s play-calling magic was a big part of Detroit’s rise. The question is: can John Morton, the new OC, carry the same torch? Early signs suggest he might just be able to. And frankly, with this level of talent, he might not need to be Houdini to keep the offense humming.
Oh—and just in case you’re wondering how Johnson’s new team is doing in Barnwell’s ranking? The Chicago Bears sit at No. 25.
Yeah… ouch.
Revenge Games Incoming?
There’s no doubt that Johnson still has love for Detroit—but you better believe there will be some extra juice when the Lions face the Bears this season. Imagine the awkward pregame handshake, the polite “How’s the new gig?” small talk… followed by 60 minutes of full-speed competition.
If the Lions’ offense keeps rolling like this, Ben Johnson may be forced to admit the tough truth: maybe it’s them, not him, after all.