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It’s one down for the Detroit Lions and likely another still to go.
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The long expected departure of Lions offensive co-ordinator Ben Johnson appears officials as his agency, Priority Sports, announced on social media that he would be the next head coach of the Chicago Bears.
It’s not the only staff loss the Lions are expecting this off-season with defensive co-ordinator Aaron Glenn set to do a second interview for the New York Jets’ vacant head coach post on Tuesday and then a second meeting with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday.
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“I would expect to lose both, but I haven’t been told anything,” Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell said hours before news of Johnson’s departure became public. “I just, I’ve got a feeling, but I’m prepared to lose both.”
Johnson was hired as an offensive quality control coach in 2019 and promoted to tight ends coach in 2020. Campbell retained him when he was hired in 2021 after Matt Patricia was fired.
In Campbell’s first season, Johnson was promoted to pass game co-ordinator after Anthony Lynn was fired as offensive co-ordinator when the team started 0-8. Johnson was promoted to offensive co-ordinator after the season.
Under the 38-year-old Johnson, Detroit has had a top 10 offence the past two seasons and the club’s 28.2 offensive points per game from 2022 to 2024 in the most in the NFL.
Like the club has all season in dealing with injuries, Campbell said in no way does the departure of one or both co-ordinators diminish the fact he still feels the club will remain a Super Bowl contender.
“Our window is open,” Campbell said. “That’s my job, to replenish and find the next man up and the guy who’s going to give us the best chance to have success on both sides of the ball. Absolutely, it would be a loss, but yet man, we move forward. This train rolls and I’ll find the next best guys for us.”
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As with promoting Johnson back in 2021, Campbell believes there are people currently on Detroit’s staff that could be promoted to fill either role.
“I think we’ve got guys on staff that I think are more than qualified and would be outstanding in those roles, but that does not mean that I’m not looking outside either,” Campbell said. “So, I’m not going to be in a hurry. I’m not in a mad dash.
“No matter what happens, I want to do what’s right by our team and what I believe is going to – those guys will be able to stand in front of that room and command respect and get everybody going in the same direction and will, ultimately, deliver the same message that I’m delivering.”
When he was hired by the Lions, Campbell was a first-time head coach and hiring Lynn, who was a former head coach, seemed like the perfect fit to get experience on the staff. But, as Campbell has grown, and Johnson has shown, it’s not always about experience being the key to success and the former NFL tight end has his own offensive ideas.
“What do you learn?” Campbell said. “OK man, I just need (to) make sure that I am heavily involved, however we go. Man, I am very offensive heavy, I think is the best way to say that. I’m going to be involved, no matter what, because I think that’s best for our offence.”
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Despite Saturday’s disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional playoffs, Campbell said the philosophy of the team will not change, even if there are changes to the coaching staff.
“No, I don’t see philosophy changing,” Campbell said. “What we are is what we are and we’ve been that way since I’ve been here.
“A couple of things will get tweaked, just the nature of new co-ordinators if that happens, because you want it to be kind of their flavour, their style with it, but yet what I want is what we’re going to do and what we’re about.”
jpparker@postmedia.com
twitter.com/winstarparker
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