Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has joined the growing list of people stunned that former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepted the Chicago Bears head-coaching job.

During an appearance on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, Holmes admitted he never expected Johnson to land in Chicago — especially considering the number of teams pursuing him during the coaching cycle.

Holmes explained that Johnson interviewed for several openings, including the Bears’, but Chicago was not the spot he expected the rising star coach to choose.

“I really didn’t know which way it was going to go,” Holmes said. “I was thinking Chicago would have probably been the last destination. Or I was probably hoping that, probably.”

Johnson was considered one of the top coaching candidates available, with teams like the Las Vegas Raiders aggressively pushing to hire him. At one point, Vegas was seen as the favorite before Johnson ultimately committed to the Bears in January.

Why Holmes Didn’t Expect Johnson to Stay in the NFC North

Because the Bears are a division rival, Holmes didn’t anticipate the Lions’ former play-caller staying inside the NFC North — meaning Detroit will now face Johnson twice a year. Players like Amon-Ra St. Brown also voiced disappointment about having to compete against their former coordinator.

Still, Holmes said he’s genuinely happy for Johnson and believes Chicago landed a “hell of a coach.”

“They have a really good one up there,” Holmes said, while joking that he’s still trying to wrap his head around, “Why Chicago?