Ben Johnson Could Steal Another Lions Star for the Bears

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for what they hope will the comeback season they’ve been dreaming about for years, and having new head coach Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions heading up the operation is a big part of that. Last season marked quarterback Caleb Williams‘ first year with the team, but it wasn’t the breakout season expected, so having an offensive-minded wizard like Johnson in the fold should help Williams a lot.

Johnson is taking all the trick plays and other fun aspects of his game to the Bears, and the same goes for players. It certainly helps Johnson to have some familiar faces around. Now, the new head coach is being urged to bring on a former Detroit Lions star to once again work with him and fit into his coaching mold.

A Detroit Lions Player Perhaps Destined for the Chicago Bears

The offseason is in a downtime, so teams have plenty of time on their hands to eye free agents and trades before the action starts. In a June 26 feature for ESPN, Aaron Schatz names one major move each NFL team should make going into the new season.

Now, will they make these moves? Some of them, yes, but the majority of these are Schatz just making suggestions. Some of his ideas include contract extensions, last-minute signings and trades, so it’s a range.

For the Bears, he wants to see them sign linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, formerly of the Detroit Lions. He says that right now “linebacker depth is a bit of a problem for the Bears,” but that “they don’t need a starter because they have T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, but former Lions linebacker Reeves-Maybin would be a good depth addition.”

Schatz adds that Reeves-Maybin would also be a “big help on special teams, having made the Pro Bowl for special teams just two seasons ago. The Bears’ special teams were strong in 2024, but another good gunner never hurts.”

The Case Against This Former Lions Player for the Bears

Not everyone is hot on the idea. Kole Noble of A to Z Sports has a feature out on June 26 about the proposal, and he argues that it doesn’t really make much sense. There are some positives to bringing Reeves-Maybin to the Windy City, but they might not be enough.

“The more I consider this, the more this doesn’t really make sense for the Bears outside of helping push some other players on the roster,” he notes in the piece.

“Reeves-Maybin brings a lot of speed and coverage to the table, which is the same style traits the team added in the fourth-round by drafting Ruben Hyppolite II back in April,” he writes. “He also doesn’t quite have the size to slide into the open strong side LB position.”

That’s a lot to evaluate in a short period of time. Unless the Bears decide to move on from another LB to free open the spot for Reeves-Maybin, I’d personally just stick with what’s currently on the roster.