Ben Johnson Just Gave Lions Fans Another Reason to Dislike Him

If Detroit Lions fans weren’t already steamed about Ben Johnson leaving town, he’s poured a little more gas on that fire.

After last season’s playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, Johnson packed up his playbook and became the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Leaving for any team would sting, but jumping straight to a division rival? That’s like quitting your job and immediately going to work for your ex’s new partner.

Johnson Reflects on the Loss That Ended His Lions Run

Speaking to Bears media ahead of his Week 6 matchup against Washington, Johnson reflected on that painful postseason exit. He admitted he might have overthought things.

“Yeah, I think when I look back at that game, we had a lot of turnovers,” Johnson said. “I felt like we got a little too aggressive and maybe got away from the game plan. End of the day, you take care of the football, that game maybe goes a different direction.”

That “different direction” likely doesn’t include five turnovers and a trick play that made fans want to hurl the remote through the TV. You remember that one. Jameson Williams launched a pass straight into Washington’s hands while the Lions were trailing by 10 and threatening to score.

For all of Johnson’s prowess as a play caller, it’s moments like that which haunt fans. Creativity is great until it backfires in the most painful way possible.

From Offensive Genius to NFC North Villain

Johnson was once hailed as the bright young mind behind Detroit’s offensive turnaround. Many fans thought he would stick around to help complete the climb to the Super Bowl.

Instead, he bolted at the first real shot at being a head coach—and picked the one job guaranteed to make him a villain in Detroit forever. Now, his Bears look to rebuild under his direction while Lions fans will gladly circle both Chicago games on their calendars for years to come.

To make matters worse, reports surfaced that Johnson was already lining up potential assistants before the Lions’ playoff run even ended. Combine that with his latest comments, and it’s easy to see why Detroit fans feel burned.

The Final Twist

Johnson’s honesty about straying from the game plan might sound like accountability, but in Detroit, it just reopens the wound.
He made his name turning an underdog Lions offense into a powerhouse, then left before the job was finished.

If fans needed another reason to dislike him, Ben Johnson just gave them one.