Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left the team Monday to take a job as head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Super Bowl champion Lomas Brown talked about what Lions fans are going through losing their best coordinator after a crushing playoff loss during a recent appearance on ‘Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich’ OutKick.
“I know it’s another body shot. You know that old game, body shot, body shot. … It was a big shot yesterday,” Brown said. “All on the radio, that was the topic yesterday, Ben Johnson leaving. Oh my God, you have so many fans mad at Ben because he took the job in Chicago. I think it’s more , not his departure, but rather the job he takes because of how we are bitter rivals with Chicago.
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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Daniel Barté/IImagn Images)
“Now we have to face him twice a year. It made the division even more difficult with Ben Johnson. And a lot of feelings before he took the job were that Ben wouldn’t take the job because he knew he would. I have to face his good friend Dan Campbell twice a year, but he accepted that a lot of people are not happy here.
The No. 1 seed Lions were upset by the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders, 45-31, on Saturday.
Brown said losing Johnson, especially to a division rival, and potentially other top aides, made losing to the Commanders even more painful.
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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches a game against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field in Chicago on December 22, 2024. (Imagn)
“A lot of people are unhappy with that here, and I think, again, a lot of that comes from the results of the game and everything that’s happened over the last few days here. It culminates with Ben Johnson taking the position and, damn, we’re going to lose more assistants,” Brown said.
“I mean Aaron Glenn, maybe you’re talking about (offensive line coach) Hank Fraley. Those are some other assistants we’re going to lose on this team. That’s why this was the year to us to do it.”
Glenn was scheduled to interview with the New York Jets for the second time on Tuesday for their head coaching position, according to NFL Network.
Tuesday’s interview will be the first in-person meeting between the Jets and Glenn.
Lions legend Lomas Brown speaks during a Ring of Honor induction ceremony during halftime of a game between the Detroit Lions and the Las Vegas Raiders at Ford Field in Detroit on October 30, 2023 . (Imagn)
Fraley is interviewing for the offensive coordinator position with the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, according to ESPN. This will be Fraley’s second interview with the team and their first in-person interview.
Brown spent 18 seasons in the NFL and was with the Lions for 11 of them. Brown was a star left tackle and made the Pro Bowl seven straight seasons from 1990 to 1996.
Brown won the Super Bowl in his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002.
