If someone had predicted a year ago that Ben Johnson would be leading the Chicago Bears to a playoff appearance while the Detroit Lions watched from home, most Lions fans would have laughed it off. Yet that unlikely scenario has become reality. In his first season as Chicago’s head coach, Johnson has reshaped the NFC North — and his rapid success could now create an unexpected opportunity for Detroit.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that the Bears are preparing for the possibility of losing several members of their coaching staff this offseason.

That development could have ripple effects across the division, particularly for the Lions.
Detroit, after all, endured its own coaching exodus last year when Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn departed. Now, the balance of power may be shifting again.

Chicago Assistants Drawing League-Wide Attention
Johnson’s turnaround of the Bears hasn’t been a solo effort. According to Jones, multiple members of Chicago’s coaching staff are already being discussed as potential coordinator candidates elsewhere around the NFL.

Among the names generating interest:
Declan Doyle (Offensive Coordinator)
Though he doesn’t call plays, Doyle has worked closely with Johnson throughout the season. Still under 30, he’s widely viewed as one of the league’s brightest young offensive minds.

Press Taylor (Pass Game Coordinator)
Taylor has rebuilt his reputation in Chicago after stepping out from under Doug Pederson’s influence, playing a key role in the Bears’ passing attack.

J.T. Barrett (Quarterbacks Coach)
The former Ohio State standout has quickly emerged as a fast-rising coach, earning respect for his work with Chicago’s quarterbacks.
Eric Bieniemy (Running Backs Coach)
A two-time Super Bowl–winning offensive coordinator, Bieniemy has helped oversee a backfield that has already surpassed 2,100 total yards from scrimmage.

While Chicago can prevent other teams from interviewing Doyle, league rules won’t protect the rest of the group — opening the door for potential departures.
That’s where Detroit enters the picture.

Campbell Could Turn the Tables on Chicago
League insiders reportedly expect Lions head coach Dan Campbell to pursue a new offensive coordinator. If that happens, Chicago’s staff represents one of the most logical talent pools.

Ironically, this would mirror the exact path the Bears took when they hired Johnson away from Detroit.
Call it symmetry. Call it irony. Either way, it’s how the NFL cycle works.

If Campbell brings in one of Johnson’s former assistants, the Lions could:
Reintroduce innovative offensive concepts
Chip away at a division rival’s coaching depth
Benefit from a system that originally developed in Detroit
In today’s NFL, strong coaching staffs rarely stay intact for long.

Successful teams inevitably become targets.
Why This Could Shape Detroit’s Future
Detroit isn’t simply searching for any coordinator — the Lions need the right fit. Someone who understands:
Contemporary passing schemes
Quarterback-friendly play design
Seamless run-game integration
Efficient red-zone planning
Calm decision-making in high-pressure moments
Those qualities defined Johnson’s tenure in Detroit. Finding them again would go a long way toward stabilizing the offense moving forward.

If Campbell can land one of Johnson’s protégés, it wouldn’t just replace lost personnel — it would strategically weaken a rival while strengthening the Lions.

The Bears climbed quickly under Johnson, but sustained success in the NFL often comes at a cost. If Chicago experiences the same coaching drain Detroit endured a year ago, the Lions may finally benefit from the league’s constant churn.

And if one of those assistants ends up in Detroit?
It wouldn’t merely fill a vacancy.
It would complete a full-circle moment — and shift momentum back toward the Lions.
Sometimes, in the NFL, the advantage really does swing back the other way.