Ben Johnson’s Bears Get Upset: The Impact of Salary Cap Drops and the Rising Detroit Lions
In the landscape of the NFL, teams are continually navigating a delicate balance between maintaining a competitive roster and managing financial constraints. The salary cap, which limits the total amount a team can spend on player salaries, serves as both a guiding principle and a challenge for NFL teams. As the 2025 season nears, with the looming specter of a potential drop in the salary cap, we are witnessing a crucial turning point in the league.
Among the teams feeling the ripple effects is the Detroit Lions, who under the leadership of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, are staging a remarkable comeback. The Lions have traditionally been an underdog in the NFC North, but their impressive performance this season—capped by a shocking upset victory over the Chicago Bears—has placed them in the spotlight.
This victory wasn’t just a statement on the field. It signaled the potential shift in the NFC North hierarchy and pointed to a larger trend: how financial constraints could dictate the fortunes of teams in 2025. In this article, we’ll break down the upset victory of the Lions, analyze how the salary cap drop could affect teams like the Bears, and explore how the rising tide of Detroit’s offense under Johnson could reshape the division for years to come.
The Bears: A Team in Flux
For years, the Chicago Bears have been a fixture in the NFC North. While their recent record hasn’t been stellar, the Bears have typically been contenders—if not in the division race, then certainly in the playoff hunt. That was, however, before the salary cap crunch became a factor in 2025.
The looming salary cap drop of $10 million, which the NFL has imposed as a result of changing league revenues, threatens to have a serious impact on teams like the Bears. With key players on expensive contracts and a roster full of rising stars, the financial strain is evident. Chicago has already had to restructure multiple contracts just to stay compliant with the cap, but there’s only so much wiggle room.
When it comes to the Bears’ roster, the stakes are high. Several cornerstone players like linebacker Roquan Smith and wide receiver Darnell Mooney have been playing at elite levels, but with Chicago’s financial flexibility now in jeopardy, the team faces a tough decision: Keep its stars, or part ways to stay within the cap?
It’s in this financial uncertainty that the Bears were dealt a painful blow at the hands of the Detroit Lions.
Detroit’s Offensive Explosion: Ben Johnson’s Mastermind
In 2025, the Detroit Lions have emerged as a team on the rise—surprising many fans and analysts who had pegged them as rebuilding. The key to their resurgence? Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Since taking over the offensive reins, Johnson has completely reimagined the Lions’ offensive scheme. Known for his innovative play-calling, Johnson has turned a previously stagnant offense into one of the most dynamic in the league. The implementation of a high-powered passing game paired with an explosive run attack has made Detroit’s offense unpredictable and dangerous.
But what truly sets Johnson apart is his ability to adapt. As a former quarterback coach, he is adept at reading defenses and tailoring his game plans to exploit weaknesses. Johnson’s influence is most apparent in the development of second-year quarterback Jared Goff, who has flourished under Johnson’s tutelage, adding new layers to his game.
This is all taking place against the backdrop of a league in flux. While many teams are scrambling to adjust to the salary cap drop, Detroit seems to be gaining momentum, in part because their financial flexibility has been better managed. The Lions are not weighed down by massive player salaries that need to be trimmed, and as a result, they have been able to invest in a deeper roster.
During their recent upset of the Chicago Bears, it was clear that Detroit’s offense was firing on all cylinders. Jared Goff threw for over 350 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with a variety of receiving options, including rising star Amon-Ra St. Brown, and dynamic tight end Sam LaPorta. The running game, led by David Montgomery, was equally impressive, averaging over 4.5 yards per carry and keeping Chicago’s defense on its heels.
But perhaps the most striking feature of the Lions’ win was their execution in the clutch moments. The game came down to a pivotal fourth-quarter drive, and with the Bears leading 21-17, it was Goff and Johnson’s offensive scheme that provided the spark needed to take the game back. With a mix of creative passing concepts and perfectly timed runs, the Lions orchestrated a 90-yard game-winning drive that had Bears fans on edge.
While Johnson and his offense were the obvious heroes of the game, the upset also underscored a key reality about the modern NFL: a team’s financial health—especially in the face of the salary cap drop—can directly impact their on-field success. In a season where teams are being forced to make tough decisions regarding player cuts and contract restructures, Detroit appears to be in a strong position to capitalize.
The Salary Cap Drop: How It’s Reshaping the League
For many NFL teams, the salary cap has long been a necessary evil, a mechanism designed to prevent wealthier franchises from stockpiling talent. While the salary cap has historically increased in line with growing league revenues, the drop in the salary cap in 2025 marks a departure from the norm.
The NFL has imposed the salary cap reduction due to a decrease in revenue generated from media rights, stadium attendance, and merchandise sales. Although the cap drop is temporary, it has created an unstable financial environment for several teams, particularly those with bloated contracts or aging rosters.
As teams like the Bears scramble to remain compliant with the new cap restrictions, they are left with fewer resources to pursue free agents or extend key players. With the salary cap tightening, these financial constraints are putting teams at risk of losing vital contributors or having to part with star players they can no longer afford.
On the flip side, teams like the Detroit Lions, who have been judicious in managing their payroll, are poised to take advantage of the situation. The Lions’ relatively healthy financial outlook has enabled them to invest in long-term contracts for promising players, while maintaining flexibility to make moves in free agency.
This is where the upset against the Bears becomes particularly telling. Chicago, a team in financial turmoil, may have lost more than just a game on the field—they may have lost ground in the NFC North race, thanks to the fiscal flexibility that Detroit currently enjoys.
Long-Term Impact on the NFC North
As we look to the future, the salary cap situation presents a critical juncture for the NFC North. The division, historically dominated by the Green Bay Packers, has seen significant shifts in power over the past few seasons. The Packers, too, have been caught in the same salary cap squeeze that has affected other teams, and while their roster remains strong, their financial situation could force them to make difficult decisions in the coming years.
For the Bears, the salary cap drop is a particular concern. With the team’s defense largely intact and still among the league’s most formidable, their offense is where they’ve struggled for consistency. If the financial constraints prevent the team from acquiring the offensive weapons it needs, the Bears could find themselves further falling behind the Lions, who seem to be gaining momentum at just the right time.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings, another NFC North rival, are in a similar position. Their aging roster, combined with the financial limitations of the salary cap, could force them to rebuild sooner than expected. While they’ve enjoyed success with quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the Vikings’ ability to compete in the short term will depend on how they navigate the cap drop.
This leaves the Detroit Lions in a unique position. With a promising offense under Ben Johnson, a strong young core of players, and financial flexibility, the Lions are poised to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the cap situation. They could be the team that emerges from the shadow of perennial contenders and claims control of the NFC North in the coming seasons.
Conclusion: The Changing Landscape of the NFC North
Ben Johnson’s upset victory over the Chicago Bears is not just a victory on the scoreboard; it’s a microcosm of the larger shifts taking place within the NFC North. With the salary cap drop looming over the league, teams that manage their finances best will likely come out ahead. The Bears, grappling with financial constraints, may struggle to maintain their competitive edge, while the Lions, under Johnson’s leadership, are on the rise.
As the salary cap drop continues to shape the league’s landscape, the NFC North could be entering a new era—one where Detroit rises to prominence, and the traditional powers, like the Bears, Packers, and Vikings, are forced to adapt. The Detroit Lions are poised to capitalize on this financial upheaval, and under the innovative guidance of Ben Johnson, the NFC North may soon be theirs for the taking.
