The Detroit Lions will wrap up their season on Sunday, January 4, finishing at 8–8 and missing the playoffs—a disappointing outcome for a team that entered the year with higher expectations. Around the NFL, many observers believe Detroit’s downturn began after offensive coordinator Ben Johnson departed to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears.
While the Lions struggled through the 2024–25 campaign, Chicago has surged. The Bears have already locked in a playoff spot, sit atop the NFC North, and could finish as high as second in the NFC standings.
That contrast has sparked an obvious question in Detroit: how can the Lions recapture the offensive success they had under Johnson heading into the 2026–27 season?
One possible answer could be found within Johnson’s own coaching circle.
The NFL is a ruthless business, and teams often look for advantages wherever they can find them—even if that means targeting assistants from a former coach’s staff. For Detroit, bringing in someone who understands Johnson’s system may be the quickest way back to relevance.
When Johnson left for Chicago, he didn’t go alone. One of the coaches who followed him was J.T. Barrett. During his time in Detroit, Barrett served as the Lions’ assistant quarterbacks coach in both 2023 and 2024.
He is now the Bears’ quarterbacks coach, working closely with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
In an article published January 2 by Detroit Jock City, writer Nick Halden identified Barrett as a potential candidate to take over Detroit’s offensive coordinator role.
Halden noted that Barrett’s playing career extended into 2019, when he spent time on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad. He later joined the CFL’s Edmonton Elks for the 2022 season, but an injury cut that stint short and ultimately led him into coaching under Johnson.
While hiring Barrett would come with risk—he has never called plays at the NFL level—Halden argues the upside could be significant. Barrett has spent several years immersed in Johnson’s offensive philosophy, and that familiarity could help Detroit rediscover what once made its offense so effective.
Lions–Vikings Christmas Game Breaks Streaming Records
Despite the on-field disappointment, the Lions still commanded massive attention on Christmas Day. Their matchup against the Minnesota Vikings became the most-watched NFL game ever streamed in the United States.
According to Nielsen data, the game averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers and peaked at over 30 million, surpassing last year’s Christmas matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, which averaged 27.2 million viewers.
Netflix confirmed the milestone in an official statement, noting that the game was part of the second year of its three-season agreement with the NFL to air games on Christmas Day.
Fans love a redemption arc, and Detroit has long embraced the idea of resilience and pride. With eyes already turning toward the future, anticipation is quietly building for what the Lions might become in the 2026–27 season.
