Lions Fan Admits Ben Johnson Departure Was a Turning Point
For the past couple of seasons, the Detroit Lions seemed poised for their first Super Bowl appearance.
They had reached the NFC Championship in 2023 and earned the top seed in 2024, establishing themselves as one of the NFC’s dominant teams with hopes of sustained success. Yet some observers worried whether the team could maintain its momentum after losing key coordinators to head coaching roles—especially offensive mastermind Ben Johnson, who had built one of the league’s most dynamic attacks.
At first, fans dismissed the concerns. The roster remained loaded with talent, and the assumption was that a new coach could step in and continue the progress. Detroit got off to a strong start, winning five of their first seven games before the bye week. But cracks began to show.
Defensive struggles combined with shifts in offensive play-calling created inconsistency, culminating in a devastating Christmas Day defeat against Minnesota, where the team managed only 10 points and committed six turnovers.
That crushing loss finally led a Lions supporter to acknowledge the reality on TikTok: losing Ben Johnson had fundamentally altered the team’s identity.
Johnson had defined Detroit’s offense since taking the coordinator role in 2022. His system emphasized physicality and dominance in the run game, setting up a potent play-action passing attack. Whenever the team faced adversity, Johnson’s strategy of leaning on the offensive line and running backs had consistently bailed them out.
This season, however, that clear identity began to fade. David Montgomery’s role decreased, and the offensive schemes seemed simpler and less cohesive.
While head coach Dan Campbell did not abandon the running game entirely, it became evident that he lacked Johnson’s distinctive touch.
The contrast is visible in Chicago, where Johnson’s influence is flourishing: the Bears rank second in both rushing and play-action attempts, embracing a clear identity that has helped them achieve an 11-4 record and secure a playoff berth. Only now are Lions fans beginning to understand the significance of what they lost with Johnson’s departure.
