The first several weeks of 2025 have been tough on the Detroit Lions, who have endured disappointment after disappointment—from an early playoff exit to the departure of their brilliant offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson.
Following the Lions’ postseason heartbreak and coaching departures, quarterback Jared Goff had a classy message for Johnson after he accepted the Chicago Bears’ head coaching position.
Under Johnson’s guidance, Goff helped Detroit rank in the top five in total yards per game for three consecutive seasons and is coming off one of his best years, throwing for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns.
With Johnson gone, Goff and the Lions’ high-powered offense may face new challenges in the coming seasons.
Still, the veteran quarterback had nothing but praise for his former coordinator as he embarks on the next phase of his coaching career.
“He’s a hell of a coach. He’s a guy that’s made a ton of difference in my career,” Goff said during a SiriusXM interview at the Pro Bowl over the weekend.
“I’m obviously a big fan of his. I was joking with him, I wish he didn’t have to be in our division so I didn’t have to try to beat him twice a year. But he’s going to do a great job.
Hopefully not too good, though, with us being in the division together still. But I’ll always be a fan of his and we’ll always have a good relationship.” Too classy.
Goff and the Lions’ championship hopes came to a painful halt in the divisional round when Detroit fell 45-31 in a high-scoring battle against the Washington Commanders.
After Johnson’s bittersweet departure, the Lions turned to former Denver Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton as their new offensive coordinator.
Morton, who was part of Detroit’s coaching staff in 2022, now takes over a talented offense.
As the Lions face an uncertain future, Goff hopes to lead the team back to contention, even without his trusted play-caller by his side.
