The rivalry between Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears and Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions goes beyond the fact that they are both members of the NFC North. Prior to taking over as the head coach of the Chicago Bears in January 2025, Johnson played for the Detroit Lions from 2019 to 2024, of course.
Because of their history, it was a much bigger deal when Johnson joined a competitor in the NFC North. The Bears and Lions played each other twice in the 2025–2026 season, and the Lions won both games. The Lions defeated the Bears 52-21 on September 14, 2025, and the Lions triumphed once more on January 4, 2026, this time with a score of 19-16. However, the Bears and Johnson had greater bragging rights over the Lions for the season because, of course, the Lions didn’t even qualify for the playoffs.
Johnson attacked his offense following the Bears’ defeat against the Lions on January 4. “I was not happy with the offense today,” Johnson stated. “We can’t let ourselves fall into such a trap. In general, I was dissatisfied with the offense. That’s what I told those fellas. And it will make us better people.
He continued, “That’s one. ” We will need to view the tape and determine the cause of the incident. It didn’t seem like one of our more complicated schemes. It seemed to me to be one of our more straightforward ideas. We need to improve our execution and coaching.
Well, now that both teams are in the offseason, there is talk that Johnson will sign with the Chicago Bears.
The rivalry between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears intensifies.
Players are already being traded between the Bears and Lions. Former Chicago Bears tight end Thomas Gordon officially signed a reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, January 29. They shared the word on social media.
In 2025–2026, Gordon’s first season, he played for the Bears. In August 2025, he agreed to terms with the club, but he was not selected for their 53-man roster. He was then signed to the practice squad in December, but the Chicago Bears did not sign him to a futures contract after the season.
It’s fair game to turn around, though. It would be a big move for Johnson if, as expected, he hires a Detroit Lions coach.
The Chicago Bears Are Getting the Detroit Lions’ Head Coach?
Following the Ravens’ acquisition of offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, Candace Pedraza argues in a Friday, January 30 article for SideLion Report that Ben Johnson and the Lions could sign assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery.
“Wouldn’t it just make too much sense for head coach Ben Johnson to bark up the Lions’ tree in search of Doyle’s replacement? ” Pedraza asks in the article.
“Between the option, Montgomery, who served as the Lions’ wide receivers coach and assistant head coach this past season, feels like the most intriguing appointment,” he continued.
“In one specific area, he would be a significant loss for the Lions, and that is in their campaign to retain David Montgomery on the roster in the lead up to 2026,” Pedraza said. “If Detroit is unable to keep Montgomery on the coaching staff, he may be a trade or cut prospect since he has been hinting throughout the previous season about his discontent with his position in the Lions’ offense. “
As a result, acquiring Montgomery would be a significant accomplishment for the Bears. Don’t rule out Johnson, too.
