Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has earned a reputation for being inventive with trick plays, but some of the most unexpected ideas come from surprising sources. Johnson recently shared that Chris Spielman, the Lions’ Special Assistant to the President/CEO and Chairperson, has contributed some truly wild trick play concepts this season.

The Creativity Behind the Plays

In a recent interview, Johnson revealed that the coaches responsible for special teams, including Spielman, regularly come up with plays that often challenge conventional expectations. “That’s every week,” Johnson said. “Those guys – Chris Spielman’s the same way, he’s just all over the place, and so we’ve got to dial them back a little bit.”

However, Johnson also praised head coach Dan Campbell for fostering an environment where no idea is too outlandish. “The best part of what we do – the head coach knows no bounds, and so he wants to push the limits as much as anybody,” Johnson explained. “And when you’ve got a guy leading the charge like that, the rest of us are, ‘Oh, really, you want to do that? Alright, we’ll give it a try.’”

Finding the Balance

As exciting as the ideas may be, not all of them make it into the playbook. Johnson admitted there are occasions when certain plays are just too extreme to use in a game. “Yeah, that happens, but try to do so in an encouraging way, ‘Oh yeah, maybe next week,’” Johnson shared with a grin.

Even so, there’s a clear sense of enjoyment in the process of creating and executing innovative plays. The collaboration between Johnson, Campbell, and Spielman adds an extra layer of fun to the Lions’ game planning, where any idea is on the table – but only if it meets the standards of practicality.

With creativity coming from all directions, the Lions will likely remain one of the most unpredictable offenses in the NFL. Whether it’s trick plays like the “stumblebum” or a surprise concept from Spielman, the Lions are ready to test the limits as they chase a playoff spot.