The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their game against the Chicago Bears this week, and head coach Dan Campbell has a strong message for his former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson. In a recent press conference, Campbell made it clear that he has nothing but respect and admiration for Johnson, but come game day, it’s all about the Lions.
The two men go way back, with Johnson serving as the Lions’ offensive assistant for the past two seasons before being hired by the Bears this year. Campbell recognizes Johnson’s talent and hard work, but he knows that when it comes to the gridiron, there are no friends, only opponents.
“We’ve been through a lot together and I have a lot of respect for Ben,” Campbell said. “He’s a great coach and I wish him all the best in Chicago. But on Sunday, he’s the enemy and we’re going to do everything we can to come out on top.”
It’s clear that Campbell has a lot of admiration for Johnson, who has been a part of the Lions organization since 2019. During his time with the team, Johnson played a crucial role in developing the offensive game plan and helping the Lions’ offense reach new heights. He was also instrumental in the development of quarterback Jared Goff, who was traded to the Lions this past offseason.
But despite their past success together, Campbell is determined to come out on top against his former colleague. And he’s not afraid to show it.
“Ben knows that when we step onto the field on Sunday, we’re going to give it our all,” Campbell stated. “We have a lot of respect for each other, but at the end of the day, we’re competitors and we want to win.”
Campbell’s message is clear – he and his team are focused on one goal, and that is to beat the Bears. He understands that facing off against a former colleague can be emotional, but he’s making sure that his team stays laser-focused on the task at hand.
“We have to stay disciplined and not let emotions get the best of us,” Campbell emphasized. “This is a business, and we have a job to do. We can’t let anything distract us from that.”
The Lions are coming off a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but they are determined to bounce back and show the league what they’re made of. And with Campbell’s strong leadership and motivation, the team is ready to take on any challenge that comes their way.
“Coach Campbell has been a great leader for us and he’s always pushing us to be better,” said Lions wide receiver, Tyrell Williams. “His message to us about facing Ben and the Bears is just another example of how focused and determined he is to get us to where we want to be.”
As for Johnson, he also has nothing but respect for his former team and coach. He knows that the Lions will be a tough opponent, but he’s excited for the challenge.
“I have a lot of great memories with the Lions and I learned a lot from Coach Campbell,” Johnson said. “But now I’m with the Bears and I’m focused on helping my team win. It’s going to be a great game and I can’t wait to see what happens.”
The Lions and Bears will face off on Sunday in what is sure to be an intense and emotional game for both teams. But one thing is for sure – Coach Campbell and his team will be ready to give their all and come out on top. And for Johnson, it will be a bittersweet reunion with his former team, but one that will showcase the strong bond and respect between these two coaches.
