Ben Johnson’s outreach to Dennis Allen caused further frustration among Lions fans. Late in the 2024 season, the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator reached out to Allen, the ex-New Orleans Saints head coach, to see if he might be open to collaborating with a first-time NFL head coach. Allen confirmed that Johnson had contacted him, asking if he would be interested in such a role. “As the season progressed, he reached out to see if I would be interested,” Allen said at his introductory press conference. “I told him I would be.”
The move upset many Lions fans, who felt Johnson was already planning for future opportunities while still focused on the Lions’ Super Bowl aspirations. Allen shared that their mutual connections helped the two feel it could be a good partnership. “I had connections with Ben, though I didn’t know him well,” Allen explained. “We both thought this could be a really good fit.”
Regarding his new role with the Bears, Allen stated his vision for the defense, emphasizing aggressiveness and toughness. “We want to dictate the tempo, challenge everything, and play a hard-nosed, physical style of football every week.”
