The Detroit Lions have a strong influence on the NFC North.
Former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, architect of some of the best offenses in franchise history, is now the coach of the Chicago Bears after the divisional rivals swiped him on Jan. 20.
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Johnson had been with the Lions as an assistant coach since 2019 and served as the offensive coordinator from 2022-24, helping turn around the Lions from a divisional footstool to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. And he has recently given credit to Lions coach Dan Campbell for helping him better understand success.
“The story of my career has been more losing than it has been winning, to be honest with you, and so I’ve seen so many ways not to do it,” he told Kay Adams of FanDuel Sports Network. “Detroit was really the first way I’ve seen to do it and have success, particularly turning that place completely around.”
He gave credit to general manager Brad Holmes and principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp for helping the turnaround, but first gave credit to Campbell:
“Of course, Dan spearheaded it.”
But now that Johnson and Campbell are divisional rivals, Johnson says the friendly exchanges between the two coaches have ceased:
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“My phone has been quiet for a while now,” he said.
Johnson is tasked with turning around a Bears team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2020 and hasn’t had a winning season since 2018. He’ll have a tough challenge against the two-time defending divisional champion Lions, however.
The Lions host the Bears on Sept. 14 in Week 2 of the regular season, and again in Chicago in Week 18 on Jan. 4. And for the record, Johnson has a parting message for the Lions as the season gets underway:
“I wish them all the best in all but two games this year.”
You can reach Christian Romo at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bears coach Ben Johnson gives Dan Campbell credit for Lions turnaround