Lions Star Reacts to Ben Johnson’s Move to the Bears
It has been a few months since former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson departed for NFC North rival Chicago Bears, and the sting is still fresh—especially for players who worked closely with him. To make matters worse, Johnson didn’t just leave; he joined a division rival, making it feel like watching an ex-partner team up with an adversary.
However, in the world of professional football, moves like this are just business. Now, one Lions standout is sharing his thoughts on Johnson’s departure to the Windy City.
Sam LaPorta Admits Losing Ben Johnson ‘Hurts’
During the 2025 NFLPA Classic Golf Tournament, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta spoke with FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams about various Lions-related topics. When asked about Johnson’s decision to join the Bears, LaPorta admitted that it was tough to see him go.
“It hurts… You spend a lot of time with these people, invest a lot of energy, effort, and hard work together,” LaPorta said. “You’re excited that he’s going to go run his own team and organization and have a lot on his plate. So, just very exciting times for him.”
Despite the disappointment, LaPorta remains optimistic about the Lions’ future.
“It’s exciting times for us, too, as we turn towards our new staff and have a bright future together as well,” he added.
The Lions wasted no time in finding a successor, hiring John Morton as their new offensive coordinator shortly after Johnson’s departure. LaPorta is looking forward to working with the new coach.
“I’ve sat down with (Morton) for maybe 10 or 15 minutes,” LaPorta said. “I got to know him personally. But as a coach, it’s yet to be determined. We have a great future in front of us, and we’re excited to work with each other.”
Johnson Excited to Work With Caleb Williams
In Detroit, Johnson helped quarterback Jared Goff reach new heights, but his new challenge in Chicago is developing rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February, Johnson praised Williams’ playmaking ability.
“Out of structure, the off-schedule, the creation… that’s what stands out the most because that’s really the way that this league is going right now,” Johnson said of Williams. “It seems like as much as you want to make it pure progression, one to two to three, there’s just too much variety.”
He added, “The pass rush is coming down, and to have an athlete like Caleb extend the play and potentially find an explosive down the field—that’s what gets me going a little bit. I get excited thinking about that because I haven’t been around that since I’ve been in the league.”
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