Dan Campbell has addressed his relationship with Ben Johnson following Johnson’s departure from the Detroit Lions, making it clear that professional rivalry hasn’t damaged their personal bond.

Detroit took a major hit when Johnson left the organization to accept a head coaching position with the Chicago Bears, a move that sent him to one of the Lions’ biggest divisional rivals. Despite the switch, the two coaches have remained close.

Johnson had opportunities to leave Detroit after the 2023 season, with teams like the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks reportedly showing interest. He ultimately chose to stay for another year. After the 2024 season, however, Chicago presented an offer that proved too appealing to pass up, particularly due to the chance to work with top overall draft pick Caleb Williams.

At the start of the season, the Lions were widely viewed as the team to beat in the NFC North, while the Bears were seen as long shots. That outlook appeared accurate early on when Detroit handled Chicago comfortably, a game where Johnson was loudly jeered by Lions fans.
As the regular season came to a close, the situation flipped dramatically.

Detroit was knocked out of playoff contention and playing out the schedule, while Chicago surged to win the division title.
Although Johnson has become a controversial figure in Detroit—drawing boos during his return—Campbell emphasized that their friendship remains intact.

Speaking after Johnson’s move to Chicago, Campbell said that while competition comes first on game day, his respect and affection for Johnson haven’t changed, even though they’ll now face each other twice each season.
Quarterback Jared Goff also spoke out against the reaction from fans, expressing disappointment with the booing and noting how much Johnson contributed during his time with the Lions.

After starting the season with two losses, the Bears went on an impressive run, winning 11 of their next 14 games to secure the NFC North crown. Johnson’s success in his first year has even put him in the conversation for Coach of the Year honors.

Meanwhile, Campbell has faced growing scrutiny in Detroit. Without Johnson running the offense, production dropped noticeably. Campbell assumed play-calling duties after John Morton struggled, but the results were inconsistent.
The Lions now sit at the bottom of the division with an 8–8 record, and major changes may be needed in the offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

Chicago, on the other hand, heads into the playoffs as a division champion and will host a postseason matchup against either the Packers, 49ers, or Rams. The Bears narrowly missed out on the conference’s top seed after a loss to San Francisco last week