2025 Lions offseason

[lordstanley]

1 hour ago, Motown Bombers said:

I personally wouldn't have called the plays that require Goff to throw an interception. 

Our coaching staff and players had no real chance. Once the Commanders won the opening coin toss and brilliantly chose to defer, I knew we were doomed and that the game was practically over.

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[4hzglory]

Ben to the Bears

[MichiganCardinal]

Although I liked him as OC, Ben Johnson doesn’t scare me as a rival head coach. His offensive line in Chicago will still be trash. Caleb Williams is a vastly different QB than Jared Goff, and I have no confidence he will resurrect his career. They have enough talent to win some games out there, but I’d be surprised if he’s a magic man who finally brings the Bears success.

I’m more interested in who we replace him with here. I’m thinking it’ll be Tanner Engstrand, but Scottie Montgomery is a possibility.

[lordstanley]

I'm not fussed about Ben going to the Bears, but I wish he wasn't grabbing Dennis Allen too.

https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/ben-johnson-assembling-superstar-coaching-staff-chicago-bears-dennis-allen

[Hongbit]

Now that Ben is going to the Bears, I’ve been thinking about it more and he definitely made a ton of mistakes on Saturday.  

He should’ve ran on 3rd down, not called the Jamo play, and absolutely made the unforgivable mistake of not getting Gibbs touches.   He was obviously distracted in his game planning by interviewing for jobs.  

Good riddence Ben.  We would’ve never won the big one with him calling plays.  

[Motown Bombers]

I definitely think he should give Swift more carries with the game on the line.

[Motown Bombers]

Engstrand probably makes the most sense as a replacement. My only issue is that I cannot respect or take seriously a grown man named Tanner. 

[Hongbit]

I wonder if Ben doesn’t take Engstrand with him if the Lions don’t promote him OC. 

[Motor City Sonics]

Robert Saleh for DC ? 

[Hongbit]

Just now, Motor City Sonics said:

Robert Saleh for DC ? 

Would love it.

[MichiganCardinal]

Saleh seems destined for SF, but I would love to have him here.

[lordstanley]

I've been checking out Twitter. Haven't seen fans turn on Ben Johnson so quickly since he tested positive for steroids 2 days after winning 100m gold at the Seoul Olympics.

Edited Monday at 09:36 PM by lordstanley

[Motown Bombers]

8 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

I wonder if Ben doesn’t take Engstrand with him if the Lions don’t promote him OC. 

I would think Glenn would be more likely to take Engstrand. Johnson is going to be the playcaller. I've seen some rumors that Fraley would go with Johnson. Fraley could be a non-playcalling offensive coordinator for Johnson. 

[RedRamage]

36 minutes ago, Motor City Sonics said:

Robert Saleh for DC ? 

If Kelvin Sheppard didn't seem like the heir-apparent already I'd be push hard for Saleh.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

What about poaching Wink Martindale from Michigan for DC?

[Motown Bombers]

Saleh may get the Jacksonville job.

 

[Motor City Sonics]

18 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Saleh may get the Jacksonville job.

 

Bobby, no,   Don't do that to yourself.   You go from Woody to Shad?   No.     You deserve better. 

[Jason_R]

1 hour ago, Hongbit said:

Now that Ben is going to the Bears, I’ve been thinking about it more and he definitely made a ton of mistakes on Saturday.  

He should’ve ran on 3rd down, not called the Jamo play, and absolutely made the unforgivable mistake of not getting Gibbs touches.   He was obviously distracted in his game planning by interviewing for jobs.  

Good riddence Ben.  We would’ve never won the big one with him calling plays.  

Nobody ever calls a perfect game, but it is true that he made a few glaring mistakes. Some of these mistakes are ones that you could see in real time, like the third and one where they split out Montgomery. And if they had told us before the snap that they were going to let Jameson Williams have a pass attempt, we would’ve told them that Williams is known for his legs, not his arm.

His strength is his aggressiveness. But the weakness of the staff is also not knowing when to hold back.

[buddha]

2 hours ago, lordstanley said:

I've been checking out Twitter. Haven't seen fans turn on Ben Johnson so quickly since he tested positive for steroids 2 days after winning 100m gold at the Seoul Olympics.

seriously.  the lions have been a top 5 offense for three seasons when he's been in charge, went 15-2 this year, and then they lose a playoff game becuase of jared goff turnovers and injuries on defense and the guy is suddenly a bum.  come on.  he's one of the best play callers in the league.  tip your hat, buy him a beer, and wish him nothing but pain and misery in chicago.

[buddha]

he's gping to find things are a little different in chicago.

the bears are a mess.  ownership is terrible (but they wont meddle).  he has a lame duck gm and new president who seems to think everything is about him.  they are embroiled in a stadium controversy and asking a broke city and state for money for it.

oh, and their oline stinks.

caleb williams has talent to make plays "off platform" but hasnt really shown much in the pocket.  he's not someone like goff who makes good reads and works the middle, but he has a lot more athletic ability than goff has and can get out of the pocket (despite the "jared goff ran a good 40" folks, he aint mobile).  they have a scat back in swift but no other backs.  they will need to replace 4/5 of their oline.  they have an aging free agent at wr who makes too much money in keenan allen, a good wr who thinks he's the best in the league in dj moore, and a rookie.  they have an overrated tight end who is just ok.

the defense is solid but not as good as they think it is.  the secondary is really good though  and young.

and you have to deal with bears fans who think they should be 12-5 at a minimum every season.  they were printing playoff tickets when they took williams this year.

he's got a real challenge on his hands now.  i like ben johnson and thank him for his service, but i hope he falls flat on his face.

we'll welcome him back in 3 years.  maybe.

[lordstanley]

4 minutes ago, buddha said:

seriously.  the lions have been a top 5 offense for three seasons when he's been in charge, went 15-2 this year, and then they lose a playoff game becuase of jared goff turnovers and injuries on defense and the guy is suddenly a bum.  come on.  he's one of the best play callers in the league.  tip your hat, buy him a beer, and wish him nothing but pain and misery in chicago.

Campbell will want to beat him hard in head to head games, but is surely thrilled for Johnson. It’s a feather in the cap to Campbell and the Lions too. When before has anyone ever wanted a Lion head coach or coordinator? Johnson did what’s best for himself, his family and his career, just like lawyers and accountants and salespeople and secretaries do all the time when they jump to a promotion with another company. 

[Motown Bombers]

I just didn't think the Bears was a great job given the dysfunction, and Johnson seemed to want to avoid dysfunction. 

[Hongbit]

Bears, Raiders, Jags.  Ugh. 

It’s like the joke about the man deciding between three women to wed.    Pick the one with the best QB.