For the past two seasons, the Detroit Lions looked like a franchise on the verge of history. They reached the NFC Championship Game in 2023, followed it up with the No. 1 seed in the NFC in 2024, and appeared positioned for a legitimate Super Bowl run. With elite talent on both sides of the ball and one of the league’s most creative coaching staffs, Detroit felt built to contend for years.

But there was always one looming concern: the inevitable loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Many Lions fans brushed it aside at the time. The roster was stacked. The offensive line was dominant. Surely the team could simply plug in another smart play-caller and keep things rolling. Early results seemed to support that optimism, as Detroit raced to a 5–2 start before the bye week.

Then everything unraveled.

How the Lions’ Season Fell Apart

Following the bye, the Lions’ play grew increasingly inconsistent. Defensive regression combined with offensive play-calling changes led to sloppy execution and costly mistakes. The breaking point came on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Vikings, when Detroit scored just 10 points in a must-win game and turned the ball over six times.

That loss didn’t just end the Lions’ playoff hopes — it forced a painful realization among the fanbase.

One Lions fan went viral on TikTok, finally admitting what many had resisted all season: losing Ben Johnson fundamentally changed the team.

Ben Johnson Defined the Lions’ Identity

From the moment Ben Johnson took over as offensive coordinator in 2022, he established a clear and ruthless identity. The Lions were a physical, downhill offense, built around a powerful run game and one of the NFL’s most dangerous play-action passing attacks.

When Detroit struggled, Johnson leaned on the offensive line and running backs to regain control. That formula worked time and time again, pulling the Lions out of tough stretches and keeping them efficient and explosive.

This season, that identity faded.

David Montgomery’s usage declined as the year went on. The offensive scheme often looked predictable and disconnected, lacking the creativity and cohesion that defined Johnson’s tenure. While head coach Dan Campbell never completely abandoned the run game, it became clear the offense no longer had the same edge.

The Contrast Is Impossible to Ignore

Adding salt to the wound, Lions fans are now watching familiar concepts thrive elsewhere.

In Chicago, Ben Johnson’s fingerprints are obvious. The Bears rank second in rushing attempts and second in play-action passing, fully embracing the identity Johnson built in Detroit. They know who they are, lean into it weekly, and as a result, sit at 11–4 with a playoff berth secured.

Meanwhile, Detroit is left searching for answers.

Lions Fans Are Finally Facing Reality

The truth is uncomfortable but increasingly undeniable: Ben Johnson didn’t just call plays — he shaped the Detroit Lions’ identity. His departure didn’t simply create a schematic gap; it stripped away the foundation of what made the team special.

Now, Lions fans are coming to terms with what was lost — and how difficult it may be to replace.