Ben Johnson’s Meltdown With the Bears is Happy News for Lions
The Detroit Lions are coming out of their bye week with a 5-2 record, and they’re also sitting at the top of NFL Power Rankings for Week 9, including the ranking from the NFL’s official website. The team has worked hard during the 2025-26 season, and that hard work is paying off, with quarterback Jared Goff and company heading into their matchups against the 3-4 Minnesota Vikings with strength and hope.
So, what’s going on with former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and his Chicago Bears? Ben, who? Well, let’s just say that things have been contentious lately.
Johnson jumped ship to the Bears just days following the Detroit Lions’ surprise loss to the Washington Commanders on January 18 of this year, with a 45-31 loss. While it’s difficult to hate on someone trying to make a career in the NFL and doing what’s best for themselves, having Johnson leave moments after the heartbreaking Lions loss didn’t settle well with Detroit. Plus, he went to a rival in the NFC North, which did not settle well.
Trouble in Chicago Bears Paradise for Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson was not a happy camper after the Chicago Bears’ 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, October 26. Remember that this was the Ravens
“Give Baltimore a lot of credit,” Johnson said after the loss, according to the Bears’ official website. “They came out and they played a physical brand of football, just like you would expect. They were hungry, they were determined, and truth be told, I expected a little bit more out of our squad to counter that. We fell short.”
Williams also called out Bears quarterback Caleb Williams after the game. When he was asked about the Bears’ closing series to end the first half, Johnson brought up Williams’ grounding flags. “I thought we had a chance there for points before half,” he said. “We had a good opportunity to do that.”
Johnson was also asked about the interception that Williams tossed. “I didn’t quite see it,” he said. “I will have to check it out on film just one more time. In my mind, there might have been another option that we could have gotten to.”
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions Are Flying High
Going into Week 9, the Detroit Lions have been named the No. 1 team in the league by the NFL’s website. In a feature out on Tuesday, October 28, Eric Edholm notes that “it will be interesting to see how active, if at all, the Lions will be before the No. 4 trade deadline.”
He also says that “the NFC North hasn’t entirely boiled down to a two-horse race, but it’s shaping up that way at the moment between Detroit and Green Bay. It won’t be shocking to see the Lions try to make a move, but even without one, they’re in very good shape heading into the back half of the season.”
Alternative Fix Sports also has the Lions at No. 1, noting, “The Lions didn’t just stumble into the top spot, they marched in wearing grit, heart, and a whole lot of swagger.”a
Pittsburgh Steelers sign versatile former Philadelphia Eagles player
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jack Driscoll to their practice squad, the team announced. Driscoll has played both tackle spots and can kick inside to guard. Given the Steelers’ insistence on running a jumbo set, he can also play there, having played 21 career snaps.
Driscoll was the Eagles’ fourth-round pick out of Auburn in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has started in 18 games and played in 67 games over his career. After his rookie contract expired following the 2023 season, Driscoll was let go by the Eagles and signed a deal with the Miami Dolphins.
After the Dolphins released him, he was re-signed by the Eagles and eventually joined their active roster. He has not been signed by a team since the Super Bowl, and the Steelers will be his first landing spot.
Standing at 6-foot-4, 306 pounds, Driscoll has 33-inch arms and has become a versatile player who can play all over the offensive line. Driscoll has dealt with some injuries in his career, including a season-ending knee injury in 2020.
The Steelers brought him in for added depth following the injury to starting left guard Isaac Seumalo, who is battling a pectoral strain.
