Detroit Lions Face Concerns After Ben Johnson Prediction

The Detroit Lions are facing concerns after NFL Insider Jason La Canfora predicted Ben Johnson, their former offensive coordinator, to win Coach of the Year with the Chicago Bears.

What happened?

The Lions did not qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2023 and saw their two-year reign atop the NFC North come to a close.

Ben Johnson helped the Bears to the first overall spot in the division and a spot in the NFL postseason despite dropping both regular season contests against the Lions.

Why it matters for Detroit Lions

The prediction spells bad news for Detroit, who will face the Bears on Thanksgiving at Ford Field and again in Chicago on January 3.

The Lions are currently standing 1st in the American Football Conference with a 14-3 record and are on a W2 streak.

What comes next?

The Lions will look to prove that last season was an anomaly and not the new norm when they face the New Orleans Saints on September 13, 2026.

Jason La Canfora praised Ben Johnson's leadership skills and ability to thrive under pressure, saying he "commands a room" and has "won this group over".

The Bears also have a better offensive line and more bite on defense, which could give them an edge over the Lions.

The Lions beat the Bears twice last season, including a 52-21 drubbing at Ford Field in September.

Ben Johnson held his team to account after the loss, saying "we can't afford to have a phase — one of our three phases — play like we did today".

The Lions will need to improve their performance if they want to compete with the Bears and make it back to the postseason.

And with the Bears looking strong, the Lions will have to bring their A-game if they want to come out on top.

But the Lions have a talented team and a strong coaching staff, and they will be looking to make a statement against the Bears.

So the stage is set for an exciting matchup between the Lions and the Bears, with the Lions looking to prove themselves as a top team in the NFC North.

The Lions' next game is against the New Orleans Saints on September 13, 2026, and they will be looking to build on their current momentum.