Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently appeared on Green Light, the popular podcast hosted by former NFL defensive end Chris Long, and offered a candid take on the departure of former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Johnson, who was widely regarded as one of the brightest young minds in football, made headlines earlier this year when he accepted the head coaching job with the division-rival Chicago Bears.
Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes on Ben Johnson taking the Chicago Bears head coaching job 👀
“I was thinking Chicago would have probably been the LAST destination… it’s a little like, man… WHY CHICAGO?”
(🎥: @greenlight )
Brad Holmes Opens Up on Ben Johnson’s Move to Chicago
GettyBrad Holmes on Ben Johnson leaving for the Chicago Bears: “Man, why Chicago?”
During the podcast, Holmes didn’t hold back his feelings. While he made it clear that he was happy for Johnson on a personal level, the GM admitted the move stung a bit more because of the destination: a team the Lions see twice a year in the NFC North.
“You know, obviously there are multiple jobs that were open that cycle, and so…I knew he had interviewed for Chicago, but he interviewed for a lot of the other positions too. So I really didn’t know which way it was gonna go. I was thinking Chicago would probably been the last destination…but no I really didn’t know that was happening till he accepted the job and we had a little talk briefly before he left. I was happy for him. He is a hell of a coach and you know they have a really good one up there but yeah it’s just a little like, ‘Man, why Chicago?'”
Johnson’s departure leaves a significant hole in Detroit’s coaching staff. Under his guidance, the Lions’ offense surged into one of the NFL’s most explosive units, finishing top five in total offense in both 2023 and 2024.
The Bears will now take full advantage of having Johnson on their side, and with the Lions’ loss of Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow to retirement, the NFC North might tip towards Chicago’s favor.
What It Means for the Bears Moving Forward
For the Bears, Ben Johnson’s arrival signals a potential turning point for the franchise. After years of offensive instability, Chicago finally has a coach with a proven ability to build and call a modern, dynamic offense. Johnson’s success in Detroit wasn’t just about play design; it was about culture, development, and maximizing talent. That’s exactly what the Bears have been missing.
Johnson now inherits a promising young offense headlined by No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. And from reports during minicamp, he knows exactly how to maximize the sophomore quarterback’s talent.
But finding success won’t be easy for Johnson and company, especially in the NFC North. The Lions, even with all their losses, will be hard to beat. Plus, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are always tough matchups.
If Johnson lives up to the hype, Chicago may finally have found the leader who can return them to relevance, and make Holmes even more frustrated.
