If you were watching the Detroit Lions during that magical 2024 run, you saw it. The flea flickers. The hook-and-ladders. The way Jared Goff looked like a first-ballot Hall of Famer every time he stepped under center. At the heart of that madness was one man: Ben Johnson.
For three years, Johnson wasn't just an offensive coordinator; he was the mad scientist of Motown. He turned a "bridge quarterback" into an MVP candidate and made the Lions the most terrifying unit in football. But as we sit here in January 2026, the landscape has shifted. The Lions are searching for answers, and Johnson is currently the head coach of the Chicago Bears, leading a divisional rival to an 11-6 record in his debut season.
It hurts. Honestly, it does. Seeing the guy who built the "juggernaut" now trying to tear it down twice a year is a tough pill for Detroit fans to swallow.
The Ben Johnson Detroit Lions Era: Why It Worked
You’ve probably heard the term "illusion of complexity." That was Ben Johnson’s bread and butter. He didn't just call plays; he curated them. While some coordinators get stubborn about "their system," Johnson built a system around Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the most dynamic backfield in the league.
The 2024 season was the peak. Detroit led the NFL in scoring at 33.2 points per game. Think about that. They were more productive than the Chiefs, the 49ers, and the Ravens. It was the first time since 1954—literally before the Super Bowl existed—that the Lions led the league in scoring.
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The Goff Whisperer
Before Johnson took the reins, Jared Goff was basically a throwaway piece in the Matthew Stafford trade. People called him a "system QB." Johnson’s response? He built the best damn system in the world.
He realized Goff isn't a scrambler. He's a rhythm passer who needs a clean pocket and clear reads. Johnson used "gap" schemes and varied run concepts to keep defenses honest. He’d run David Montgomery between the tackles until the linebackers' legs felt like jelly, then he’d unleash Jahmyr Gibbs on a wheel route. By the time the defense adjusted, Goff had already zipped a 20-yarder to St. Brown in the seam.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Departure
There's this narrative that Johnson "abandoned" Detroit. That’s just not true. He actually stayed longer than anyone expected.
He turned down the Carolina Panthers in 2023. He turned down the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. He stayed because he wanted to win a Super Bowl with Dan Campbell. He wanted one more run at the Lombardi. When they fell short in the 2024 playoffs, it felt like the natural end of a chapter.
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When the Chicago Bears came calling in early 2025 with Caleb Williams and a mountain of cap space, he finally took the leap. You can't blame a guy for wanting to test his mettle as the big boss, even if it meant moving to a rival.
The 2025 Regression: Life Without Ben
The Lions' 2025 season was... bumpy. John Morton took over as OC, but it wasn't the same. The "meat-and-potatoes" run game was still there, but the creativity vanished.
- Predictability: Dan Campbell ended up taking over some play-calling duties, but the "tricky" stuff that Johnson loved—the stuff that made defenses hesitate—was largely gone.
- Attention to Detail: Insiders noted that Johnson was a perfectionist. He’d run a play ten times in practice until the timing was frame-perfect. In 2025, the Lions suffered from more procedural penalties and "empty" drives.
- The Run Game Identity: While Gibbs and Montgomery are still elite, the scheme wasn't as adaptable. Defenses started stacking the box because they weren't afraid of the "weird" stuff anymore.
The Secret Sauce: The "Canvas" Philosophy
Former Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson once described Johnson’s coaching style as "all-inclusive." He told players they were the "painters" and the field was their "canvas."
Johnson didn't just tell a receiver to run a 10-yard out. He’d ask, "How do you want to get there?" He gave players ownership. That’s why the chemistry between Goff and St. Brown looked so effortless—it was built on mutual trust, not just a drawing on a whiteboard.
Where the Lions Go From Here
It’s January 2026. The Lions just finished their season and, frankly, the offense needs a reboot. They’ve already moved on from Morton after just one year. The search is on for a new coordinator who can bring back that Ben Johnson spark.
Names like Mike Kafka and Arthur Smith have been floated in the Detroit media. Whoever gets the job has a Ferrari in the garage—Goff is still efficient, the O-line (even without the retired Frank Ragnow) is talented, and the skill players are in their prime.
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Actionable Takeaways for the Lions' Offseason
- Prioritize "Creative" Intelligence: The next OC can't just be a "system guy." They need someone who understands how to marry the run and pass through heavy play-action, just like Johnson did.
- Rebuild the O-Line Depth: The 2025 regression was partly due to injuries and the loss of veterans like Kevin Zeitler. Protecting Goff is the only way this offense functions.
- Modernize the Personnel: The Lions have a lot of "scrappy" receivers, but they lacked a true vertical threat after Jameson Williams was the sole focus of deep safeties in 2025. Adding another speedster could open up the intermediate routes that Johnson used to feast on.
The Ben Johnson era in Detroit is over, but the blueprint he left behind is still the gold standard for how to win in the modern NFL. The Lions don't need to find "the next Ben Johnson"—they just need to remember what made his offense so impossible to stop: trust, creativity, and a little bit of madness.
Next Steps for Lions Fans:
Keep a close eye on the upcoming OC interviews. If the Lions lean toward a "safe" veteran hire, expect more of the same 2025 stagnation. If they go for a young, "pass-game coordinator" type from a tree like McVay or Shanahan, they’re clearly trying to recapture the magic that Johnson brought to Ford Field.