The Detroit Lions’ disappointing 2025 season was made even harder for fans to stomach by the immediate success former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson enjoyed with the Chicago Bears.

In his first year as a head coach, Johnson led Chicago to its first NFC North title since 2018 and its first divisional playoff appearance since 2010. Bears fans quickly embraced him, celebrating his “Good, Better, Best” locker-room mantra with tattoos and applauding his animated sideline moments—especially anything involving the Green Bay Packers.

However, that honeymoon phase may already be coming to an end.

Just one week later, Bears fans turned on Johnson after questionable decisions in a 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a game that highlighted issues Lions fans know all too well.

---

Questionable Fourth-Down Decisions Cost Bears Against Rams

Statistically, the Bears played well. Chicago outgained Los Angeles 417-340 in total offense and averaged 5.1 yards per play. But situational play-calling proved costly.

Johnson went for it six times on fourth down, converting only three. Notably, three failed attempts came while Chicago was already within field-goal range, passing up potential points from kicker Cairo Santos.

Even more puzzling was Johnson’s reluctance to trust quarterback Caleb Williams. On those six fourth-down attempts, Williams attempted just one pass, as Johnson leaned heavily on the run game despite admitting it had “dipped” in recent weeks.

---

Goal-Line Sequence Raises Red Flags

The most glaring moment came late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 17-10 with 5:14 remaining, the Bears faced first-and-goal at the Rams’ five-yard line.

Johnson called three straight runs for D’Andre Swift that netted just three yards. On fourth down, Williams finally threw—but his pass to rookie wide receiver Luther Burden fell incomplete, turning the ball over on downs.

Chicago later tied the game after the Rams failed to run out the clock and Williams hit Cole Kmet for a dramatic fourth-down touchdown. Still, the Bears wouldn’t have needed heroics if Johnson had simply taken the points earlier.

---

Playoff Trends Lions Fans Recognize

While hindsight always sharpens criticism, Johnson’s recent playoff decision-making raises legitimate concerns.

According to X user “Section 344 Lions,” Johnson’s last 14 quarters as a playcaller—dating back to the second half of the 2023 NFC Championship Game—have included:

6 turnovers on downs

2 lost fumbles

8 interceptions

Outscored by 35 points

That stretch includes the Lions’ 45-31 playoff loss to Washington, where Detroit gained 521 yards but threw four interceptions, including a costly Jameson Williams trick play late in the game.

---

What This Means for the Bears—and Lions Fans

Johnson isn’t in danger of losing his job after delivering Chicago’s most successful season in 15 years. Still, questions loom.

Will the Bears’ 7-4 record in one-score games regress in 2026? Will assistant coaches be poached, weakening Johnson’s staff? And can he adjust his aggressive tendencies before they cost Chicago in bigger moments?

After a wild-card win over Green Bay followed by a playoff loss to the Rams, the pendulum may already be swinging.

For Lions fans, it’s familiar territory—watching Ben Johnson’s brilliance occasionally undone by risky decisions that feel like forgetting to put the cap back on the toothpaste.