Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is already one of the brightest minds in the NFL — and now he’s added a new layer to his game plan that could give opposing defenses nightmares, especially the Chicago Bears.
At the heart of this evolution is his clever use of 12-personnel — a formation that features one running back and two tight ends. While many teams use it primarily to run the ball, Johnson has flipped the script in Detroit. He’s turned it into a versatile, unpredictable weapon that creates mismatches all over the field.
The Lions leaned heavily into 12-personnel last season with tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. LaPorta, in particular, thrived as both a blocker and pass-catcher, keeping defenses on their heels. With two tight ends on the field, Detroit can disguise their intentions—run or pass—with equal threat. That forces opposing defenses to guess wrong more often than not.
Why does this matter for the Bears? Because Chicago’s defense has struggled against heavy formations and tight end coverage. Johnson knows that. And heading into the new season, expect him to unleash even more creative plays out of 12-personnel sets — using motion, play-action, and misdirection to exploit Chicago’s vulnerabilities.
Bottom line: Ben Johnson’s version of 12-personnel isn’t old-school. It’s modern, fast, and deadly efficient — and it’s another reason why the Lions could dominate their division once again.
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