As the Detroit Lions gear up for the 2025–26 NFL season, they may be quietly pleased by a questionable move made by their divisional rivals, the Chicago Bears — and it directly involves former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Although Detroit has moved past the departure of several key coaches from last season, it’s difficult not to pay attention to Johnson, who left for his first head coaching role in Chicago following the conclusion of the Lions’ 2024–25 campaign.
Seeing Johnson take the reins of a long-time NFC North foe was a tough pill for Lions fans to swallow, even if his decision made sense from a career standpoint. Still, the success — or lack thereof — of the Bears directly impacts Detroit, making any misstep by Chicago potentially beneficial for the Lions.
A recent decision out of Chicago has raised eyebrows, and it may put Johnson in a tough spot before he even coaches his first game.
Chicago’s Offseason Gamble Could Backfire
There’s growing anticipation in Chicago that Johnson will tap into the potential of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and elevate the franchise. But optimism doesn’t guarantee results.
In a July 11 piece for SideLion Report, Matt Sidney criticized a major front-office move that could spell trouble for the Bears. ESPN’s Adam Schefter had just reported that Bears general manager Ryan Poles inked a five-year contract extension, keeping him in power through 2029.
Sidney labeled the move a major misstep, pointing out that this is the same executive team that stood by former head coach Matt Eberflus well beyond what many considered a logical endpoint — despite consecutive seasons where the Bears struggled to find rhythm or consistency.
Sidney’s concern is that Johnson, while a fresh face, is walking into a familiar storm: organizational instability, questionable decision-making, and lingering dysfunction.
A Difficult Situation for Johnson, A Potential Win for Detroit
The idea behind hiring Johnson was to inject new life into the Bears and guide Williams without interference. But Sidney argues that Johnson may already be handicapped by being tied to a general manager who has a track record of misusing resources and setting unrealistic goals.
Unless Johnson can break through these systemic issues, it could mean more frustration in Chicago — and fewer wins.
From Detroit’s point of view, that’s not bad news. If Chicago falters under Johnson’s leadership, the Lions’ path to NFC North dominance gets a little easier. While no one in Detroit wishes failure on Johnson personally, his potential struggles in Chicago might just work out in the Lions’ favor.
