Ben Johnson Isn’t Just Taking His Offense to Chicago; He’s Taking the Lions’ Blueprint, Too
In a world where coaching turnover can often feel like a never-ending cycle, the success of one team’s offensive coordinator can be another team’s prized acquisition. Few coaching moves have generated as much buzz as the recent hiring of Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions’ former offensive coordinator, by the Chicago Bears. Johnson, widely regarded as one of the brightest young minds in the NFL, was instrumental in the Lions’ resurgence on offense under head coach Dan Campbell. His ability to transform a struggling unit into one of the most efficient offenses in the league captured the attention of not only the Lions’ faithful but also other franchises looking to make a change.
What makes this move particularly interesting, however, is that Johnson is not just taking his offensive playbook to Chicago—he’s taking the entire blueprint that helped turn the Lions’ offense into a potent force. In many ways, Johnson’s transition to the Bears is not just a fresh start for him but an opportunity to replicate the success he found in Detroit while implementing the same principles that helped make the Lions one of the most exciting offensive teams in the NFL.
In this article, we’ll explore how Ben Johnson’s coaching philosophy, offensive strategies, and the principles that fueled the Lions’ offensive success could very well help turn around the Bears’ struggling offense. Additionally, we’ll examine the nuances of the Lions’ offensive blueprint that Johnson is bringing to Chicago, and how the Bears can build on his success to create a powerful and efficient offense.
Ben Johnson’s Rise to Prominence in Detroit
Before diving into the impact of Johnson’s move to Chicago, it’s important to first understand how he rose to prominence in Detroit. Hired as the Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2021, Ben Johnson inherited an offense that had been one of the worst in the league during the previous seasons. Under the leadership of former head coach Matt Patricia, the Lions’ offense had struggled to find an identity, and their lack of success was a contributing factor to Patricia’s dismissal.
When Dan Campbell took over as head coach, he brought in Johnson to help transform the offense. Johnson, known for his creativity, attention to detail, and ability to maximize the potential of his players, wasted no time implementing his vision for the unit. His influence was immediately felt, as the Lions’ offense became more dynamic and innovative.
Johnson’s ability to adapt his system to the strengths of quarterback Jared Goff was one of the keys to his success in Detroit. In particular, Johnson found ways to maximize Goff’s strengths as a rhythm passer, utilizing play-action concepts and quick-strike passing routes that allowed Goff to operate with greater confidence. The combination of a solid offensive line, a versatile running game led by D’Andre Swift, and a young but talented receiving corps—including Amon-Ra St. Brown—turned the Lions’ offense into one of the most efficient in the league.
What really set Johnson apart, however, was his play-calling ability. He demonstrated an exceptional understanding of how to manipulate defenses through misdirection, motion, and formation diversity. Whether it was an explosive deep shot down the field or a well-executed screen pass to a running back in space, Johnson consistently found ways to put defenders in conflict, opening up opportunities for his players to succeed. Under his tutelage, the Lions finished the 2022 season as one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league, and their offensive efficiency was among the best in the NFL.
The Bears’ Offensive Struggles and the Need for Change
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears’ offense had struggled to find a consistent identity in recent years. While Justin Fields, the team’s young quarterback, showed flashes of potential as a dual-threat playmaker, the offense as a whole had been inconsistent and lacking in creativity. The Bears finished near the bottom of the NFL in several offensive categories, including passing yards, scoring, and red-zone efficiency. A lack of surrounding talent, a porous offensive line, and poor play-calling had all contributed to the Bears’ struggles.
Chicago’s decision to hire Ben Johnson as their next offensive coordinator reflects their commitment to addressing these issues and taking a more modern, aggressive approach to offensive football. Johnson’s track record of success in Detroit, where he turned a struggling offense into a top-tier unit, makes him an ideal candidate to help unlock Justin Fields’ potential and lead the Bears’ offense into the future.
For the Bears, Johnson’s hiring represents a seismic shift in their offensive philosophy. The move from a run-heavy offense focused on basic principles to a more creative, dynamic, and versatile offense is a fundamental change. Johnson’s ability to design and implement a system that takes full advantage of Fields’ dual-threat capabilities, while also providing more opportunities for the Bears’ wide receivers and tight ends, will be a key to his success in Chicago.
The Lions’ Offensive Blueprint: What Chicago Can Expect
One of the primary reasons why Ben Johnson’s departure from Detroit is so significant is because of the offensive blueprint he helped create in the Motor City. The Lions’ offense under Johnson was not just productive—it was also smart, efficient, and diverse. As Johnson transitions to Chicago, the Bears can expect several key elements of this blueprint to be implemented in their own offense:
1. Utilizing Play Action and Bootlegs
One of the hallmark features of Johnson’s offense in Detroit was his heavy use of play-action and bootlegs. This strategy capitalized on the threat of the running game, which was key to the Lions’ offensive success, and allowed Goff to throw on the move, giving him clean throwing lanes and forcing defenders to make quick decisions.
For Chicago, this approach could work wonders with Justin Fields. Fields, a dynamic running quarterback, is at his best when allowed to move out of the pocket and make plays on the run. By implementing more play-action and bootleg concepts, Johnson will help create easier passing windows for Fields while taking advantage of his running ability to stretch defenses.
In addition, using motion and shifting the formation before the snap will help Johnson’s offense identify defensive tendencies and create mismatches for Fields and his receivers. Whether it’s getting Fields outside the pocket or creating natural run-pass options, play-action and bootlegs will be a staple of the Bears’ new offensive identity under Johnson.
2. A Balanced Offensive Attack with a Focus on the Running Game
In Detroit, Johnson embraced a balanced offensive attack that relied heavily on the running game to set up the pass. D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams were key components of the Lions’ offense, both as runners and as receiving threats out of the backfield. This balance helped keep defenses honest and allowed the Lions to consistently move the ball downfield.
For the Bears, a similar approach could help jump-start their offense. Fields’ ability to run the football is one of his greatest strengths, and pairing him with an effective running back like David Montgomery—who has the potential to be a powerful, downhill runner—could help establish a similar identity to what Johnson created in Detroit. This balanced approach would also open up opportunities for the passing game, giving Fields more time in the pocket and more clear passing windows.
3. Versatile Receivers and Tight Ends
In Detroit, the development of Amon-Ra St. Brown as a reliable target in the passing game was a significant factor in the team’s offensive success. Johnson found creative ways to use St. Brown, moving him around the formation and designing plays to get him open in space. This helped St. Brown become one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL.
For the Bears, a similar strategy could be used to help unlock the potential of their young receiving corps. Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, and Cole Kmet all have the talent to be effective weapons, but they have not been used to their full potential in Chicago’s previous offensive schemes. Johnson will look to create more opportunities for these players, using motion, misdirection, and unique route concepts to help them succeed.
4. Innovative Play Calling and Game Plan Flexibility
Finally, one of Johnson’s defining qualities in Detroit was his ability to adapt his play calling to the strengths of his players while also exploiting the weaknesses of opposing defenses. Whether it was designing quick-strike passing plays, using tempo to tire out opposing defenses, or shifting gears in critical moments, Johnson’s play-calling kept defenses on their heels.
This approach is something the Bears will likely benefit from. Fields’ dual-threat capability makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and Johnson’s ability to utilize that threat effectively will be crucial in maximizing his potential. Whether it’s getting Fields in rhythm early or providing him with more easy, high-percentage throws, Johnson will bring an innovative approach to a Bears offense that has lacked consistency in recent years.