The Detroit Lions felt like a team on the cusp of their first-ever Super Bowl run the previous two years. They'd gone to the NFC Championship in 2023 and claimed the #1 seed in 2024. They looked like the class of the NFC and a surefire contender for at least another few years. However, some feared if the team could maintain this momentum, knowing they were about to lose both of their coordinators to head coaching jobs, especially Ben Johnson, who'd crafted the best offense in the NFL.
Lions fans refused to acknowledge that possibility. They still had loads of talent across the board. Just find another smart coach and let him play with the toys. Things seemed fine at first. Detroit started hot, going 5-2 into the bye week. Then everything unraveled. A defensive decline mixed with play caller changes on offense led to inconsistent play that resulted in some brutal losses. Everything came crashing down on Christmas Day, when Detroit scored just 10 points in a must-win game against Minnesota, turning it over six times.
The crushing loss finally got a Lions fan to admit the truth on TikTok. Losing Johnson completely ruined the team's identity.
Ben Johnson made the Lions who they were.
From the moment he took over in 2022, the coordinator made it clear Detroit would be a physical and violent offense built around a strong ground attack. Through that, they would deploy a lethal play-action game. Every time the Lions grew sluggish, they just leaned on their offensive line and running backs. Every time it carried them out of trouble. That identity faded away this season. David Montgomery saw his usage dip as the season went on. Their scheming lacked coherence at times and seemed far more basic.
While Dan Campbell didn't abandon the run game by any means, it became clear he didn't have the same magic touch Ben Johnson did. After all, you're seeing shades of that identity from the past three years materialize in Chicago. The Bears are second in rush and second in play action passing attempts. They know exactly who they are and have leaned into that in every game this year. As a result, they are 11-4 and in the playoffs. Lions fans are just now realizing what they lost.
