The Detroit Lions have received some promising news that bodes well for their future—and might just make their former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson wince a little. As the team prepares for the 2025–26 NFL season, a major update regarding their offensive line strength is generating a lot of optimism in Detroit.
Of course, while the departure of Ben Johnson to the rival Chicago Bears was professional and expected, there’s no denying that emotions are involved. Johnson played a crucial role in shaping Detroit’s dynamic offense, and watching him leave to join a division opponent adds an extra sting. It’s only natural for the Lions—and their fans—to feel a bit slighted and hope Johnson doesn’t thrive too much in Chicago, especially not at Detroit’s expense.
Despite his departure, the Lions are moving forward with confidence. Quarterback Jared Goff continues to lead an offense that remains one of the most talented in the league. As the season draws closer, Detroit is showing every sign of being ready to compete at a high level once again. And now, thanks to a significant national ranking, the Lions are earning more recognition for the strength of their offensive unit.
Lions Soar in ESPN Offensive Rankings
In a July 8 article for ESPN, NFL analyst Bill Barnwell ranked the top offensive units in the league, basing his evaluations on advanced statistics and metrics that measure performance on a per-snap basis, adjusted for tempo and opportunity. The result? The Detroit Lions were ranked No. 2 in the entire NFL—up an impressive five spots from their No. 7 position in 2024. The only team ranked higher was the Philadelphia Eagles.
This lofty position reflects the continued excellence of players like wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Barnwell was particularly glowing in his praise of the former fourth-round pick, noting his transformation from being seen as merely a slot receiver to one of the league’s most reliable targets. Last season, St. Brown achieved an 81.6% catch rate, the second-best among wideouts with 100+ targets since 1992. His 70.2% success rate on those targets ranked fifth among receivers in similar situations, highlighting his consistency and effectiveness.
Barnwell also complimented the rest of Detroit’s offense, emphasizing that the unit is stacked with talent. His sentiments echo those of Gennaro Filice of NFL.com, who has the Lions ranked No. 1 overall in offensive strength.
One Lingering Concern
Despite the praise, Barnwell did point to one potential downside: the loss of Ben Johnson. He acknowledged Johnson’s pivotal role in designing clever schemes and maximizing the offensive unit’s output. “The only knock I can place on the Lions’ playmaker spots is the departure of one of the league’s schematic masterminds,” Barnwell wrote, hinting that the offense might lose some of its creativity and adaptability without Johnson at the helm.
Still, new offensive coordinator John Morton now has the reins, and hopes are high that he can keep Detroit’s momentum going.
As for Johnson’s new team? The Bears landed at a lowly No. 25 in Barnwell’s rankings—a reality that may be difficult to swallow in Chicago. Ouch.
