Over the past three seasons, the Detroit Lions have gotten inventive with their offensive trick plays. One of their most well-known was a pass to Dan Skipper in Week 17 of the 2023 season versus the Dallas Cowboys, though it was nullified since Skipper didn’t report as eligible. That play wasn’t the only one — last year, the Lions even had All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell attempt a pass.

Now, former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, recently named head coach of the Chicago Bears, is actively scouting Bears players capable of running similar gadget plays. On Thursday, during the Bears’ final veteran minicamp session, Johnson wrapped practice by having the offense run several trick plays.

Lions fans shouldn’t be shocked to see Johnson ending minicamp by testing Bears players on trick plays. He earned a reputation for them in Detroit. But what might catch Detroit fans’ attention is which Bears stood out to him.

Darnell Wright, the team’s right tackle, was a standout. Wright pulled off a spinning one-handed reception that caught attention. Johnson confirmed seeing the catch in his post-practice comments, saying with a grin, “Oh, I did.”

Tight end Cole Kmet also executed a notable trick play. A former quarterback and pitcher, Kmet tossed a sharp left-handed pass, per CHGO’s Adam Hoge. Johnson involving a tight end in this role is a new wrinkle. During his Detroit tenure, the Lions never had a tight end throw a pass.

Still, Detroit fans being frustrated by Johnson bringing trick plays to Chicago is understandable. These kinds of plays had become a Lions signature, and now watching them used by a divisional rival stings.

That being said, Detroit remains a serious contender for 2025 and is expected to keep the upper hand over the Bears. But if Johnson finds the right playmakers in Chicago to match his creativity from Detroit, Lions fans might not be so confident when they face off in Week 2.