The Detroit Lions are facing a major shake-up in their coaching staff, losing five assistant coaches in just one week. The exodus comes on the heels of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s departure to take the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears, a move that has sent shockwaves across the NFC North.
Johnson, widely regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL, was instrumental in revitalizing the Lions’ offense over the past two seasons. Under his guidanc
In the days after Johnson’s departure, reports surfaced that he had recruited several Lions assistants to join him in Chicago. Offensive line coach Hank Fraley, quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell, wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, and tight ends coach Tanner Engstrand have all reportedly accepted offers to join Johnson’s staff with the Bears. Special teams assistant Jett Modkins also announced his resignation, further compounding the Lions’ woes.
The departures have left head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes scrambling to fill critical positions as the team prepares for the offseason. While the Lions showed significant promise in 2024, narrowly missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record, the sudden loss of key staff members threatens to derail their momentum.
“It’s tough losing great coaches,” Campbell said during a press conference on Friday. “But we’re committed to finding the right people who can help us build on what we’ve started here. This is a challenge, but we’ll rise to it.”
For Chicago, Johnson’s arrival signals a fresh start for a team that has struggled to find its identity under quarterback Justin Fields. Lions fans, however, are left to wonder how the team will adapt as they gear up for a critical 2025 season.
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