Ben Johnson Almost Stole Another Key Assistant From Detroit

Dan Campbell sent Ben Johnson off from Detroit after three terrific seasons with one warning: don't you dare take any other assistants on the staff. Only one exception was made. Antwaan Randle El went with him as the new wide receivers coach and assistant head coach because he was a Chicago native. He got to go home. Other than that, Johnson abided by his Campbell's rule. However, it appears that didn't stop the Bears' head coach from trying to find ways around it. That includes trying to swipe his eventual replacement before the Lions got him.

Everybody knows the story. Detroit hired John Morton as Johnson's heir to the offensive coordinator job. It made sense. He'd spent time on the staff in 2022 and had gone on to do great work helping develop Bo Nix in Denver. Campbell wanted to bring him back. Many didn't know that Johnson also had him in mind for a top position in Chicago. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press revealed the details of what happened. In the end, the Lions could offer two things the Bears couldn't.

Campbell and Morton spent 10 or 15 minutes on the phone talking ball as Morton and his girlfriend milled about the lobby. When Morton hung up, his phone buzzed with another familiar number – Johnson’s.

Eight years after he got his one and only chance to call plays in the NFL – 16 games with the New York Jets in the 2017 season – Morton was suddenly the most in-demand offensive mind in coaching.

Johnson wanted Morton to join his staff in Chicago, and after Morton hung up and eventually made his way to his room, he spent the night tossing and turning and debating his future...

...“I talked to some people and they’re like, ‘Dude, if (Campbell) offers you the job, you freaking take it. What are you, an idiot?’ ” Morton said.

Ben Johnson would've scored a quality assistant in Morton.

The 55-year-old has a long, proven track record going back over two decades in college and the NFL. He got started in Oakland, where he helped the Raiders reach the Super Bowl in 2002. He was essential to helping Sean Payton kickstart the rise of the New Orleans Saints in 2006. Jim Harbaugh brought him to San Francisco, where he helped them reach the Super Bowl in 2012. Then he returned to Oakland, where he helped them make another playoff run. The guy has coached several different positions, giving him a unique perspective on how to handle an offense. His experience would've undoubtedly been a boon for Ben Johnson. However, Detroit could offer play-calling duties and a more proven offensive roster.