Ben Johnson Responds to Lions Players’ Jab at Him

The Chicago Bears are looking solid heading into the regular season, especially after the team’s winning preseason. Seeing the Bears so strong in the preseason has really brought the excitement level for the Chicago Bears to an even bigger level. New head coach Ben Johnson already seeming to have a handle on this team and in a very short time is moving them forward.

Johnson came from the Detroit Lions, of course, and worked under coach Dan Campbell. So, while the Bears and Lions were always NFC North rivals, now that rivalry is even larger. There’s going to be so much tension this season with the two teams take the field, but it will also make for some really good football.

During the press rounds, both teams have occasionally been asked about the Johnson factor. Both the Detroit Lions and Johnson have their feelings about it, but it’s all business, and Johnson knew that he was destined to be in Chicago. Now, Johnson is responding to some comments made by Lions players that threw some shade at him.

Chicago Bears Coach Ben Johnson Responds to Lions Comments

Kay Adams of the Up & Adams show has been traveling to different NFL teams and interviewing their player sand coaches, as she always does before the season starts. When she visited the Detroit Lions’ practice, she interviewed Lions players Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs.

When talking about the Chicago Bears, Gibbs commented that watching the Bears, it was “funny watching the same plays that we ran.” St. Brown added that “hopefully, it only looks good for two more weeks.” So, they criticized and poked fun at Johnson a bit and his work in Chicago.

Now, Johnson is responding. When asked about those comments, he had a great response and it certainly should raise some eyebrows if any Lions are watching.

“This is the same gameplan in the preseason I’ve done for the past four years, so the plays should probably look the same,” Johnson said in the inerview. “We just dusted off an old [playbook] and the guys are going out there and executing at a high level right now.”

But, he added that the plays will certainly change and that “once we get into the season, we’ll have a little bit more fun.” So, Johnson is telling the Lions to watch out, because he’ll have fresh plays against them.

Ben Johnson Already Getting Respect as Head Coach

Johnson is coming off a very impressive three years as the offensive coordinator of the Lions and one that landed him his first head coaching job. Under his direction, Detroit scored an impressive 1,478 points during his three years in that position.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports had some positive words for Johnson in his July roundup of the best NFL coaches going into the news season.

“After years as the NFL’s hottest coaching candidate, lending all kinds of aggressive play-calling to the rival Lions’ turnaround, Johnson has the pieces to do something meaningful in Chi-Town,” Benjamin stated. “The key will be tapping into Caleb Williams‘ gifts while also keeping the gunslinger in check, which is a balance previous regimes couldn’t manage with their own quarterback projects.”

While the Lions were laughing a bit at Johnson’s old plays in the preseason, chances are they won’t be laughing when the regular season starts. Let the game begin.