“45 Pts Is What The Other Team Put Up BTW” – Pissed Off Lions Fans Are All Turning On Former OC Ben Johnson For Taking Head Coaching Job With Rival Chicago Bears

Ben Johnson of Detroit Lions looking on.

Ben Johnson (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
To say that Detroit Lions fans aren’t taking news of Ben Johnson’s move to the Chicago Bears would be a giant understatement.

On Monday, news broke that the Bears are hiring Ben Johnson as their new head coach. The 38-year-old had been with the Lions since 2020, spending the last three years as their offensive coordinator on Dan Campbell’s staff.

Losing Johnson is the latest blow to a Lions team that’s still dealing with the shock of a humiliating 45-31 home loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round. The fact he went to a division rival, led by promising young QB Caleb Williams, makes it even harder for Lions nation to stomach.

And let’s just say that some Lions fans aren’t the least bit pleased with Johnson’s decision to leave Motor City for Windy City:

“Ben johnson you are a traitor to Detroit. I hope you do not succeed in Chicago. I hope the lions crush you next season,” one fan wrote.

 

“Ben Johnson is legitimately dead to me You can’t convince me he didn’t throw the game – 15-2 and he calls the worst game of his career at the most important game of the year – 2 days later goes to Chicago with a staff already picked out Traitor, saboteur, Benedict Arnold,” said another.


“Ben Johnson is a traitor,” said a fan.

“Ben Johnson is a traitor. Go get another job, sure. Just don’t get one in the North. Shoulda went to AFC. I hope the lions destroy his soul now,” wrote a fan.


“Clearly Ben Johnson sold us out in that game so he could get started in Chicago. No other explanation,” quipped one fan.

“BEN JOHNSON, WHY DID YOU BACKSTAB US LIKE Nathan Shelley!!!! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!!!,” wrote a user.


“Ben Johnson is a BUM and a traitor,” another commented.

“Ben Johnson Is A Traitor..,” wrote a fan.


Johnson was also a top head coaching candidate last year, but he decided to return to Detroit for a fifth season. The Lions finished with a top-five offense in each of Johnson’s three years as the OC, including No. 1 this year (33.2 points per game).

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is also likely to leave for a head coaching position, as he has second interviews lined up with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. He was New Orleans’ defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020.

Ben Johnson Was Bound To Leave Detroit Eventually

As much as Johnson’s departure stings for the Lions, the fanbase just has to look at the positives. If Detroit didn’t have so much success, Johnson wouldn’t have left for Chicago in the first place.

Championship-caliber teams always see top assistants leave for HC positions. In more recent examples, look at the coaching trees of Bill Belichick, Kyle Shanahan, Andy Reid and Sean McVay.