Lions Fans Show No Mercy: Brutal Chant Targets Former Coordinator Ben Johnson During 52-21 Beatdow
Well, well, well. If you thought NFL rivalries were getting soft, think again. The Detroit Lions faithful just reminded everyone why Ford Field can be one of the most hostile environments in professional football. And their target? None other than their former offensive coordinator, turned Chicago Bears head coach, Ben Johnson.
Lions Fans Deliver a Savage Welcome Back Message
Sunday’s 52-21 demolition of the Bears wasn’t just a statement win for Detroit—it was a full-blown roast session courtesy of the home crowd. As the Lions were busy turning Johnson’s Bears into Swiss cheese, the Ford Field faithful broke out a chant that would make even the most seasoned trash-talkers blush: “F**k Ben Johnson.”
Yeah, you read that right. No sugar-coating, no clever wordplay—just pure, unfiltered hostility directed at the man who helped orchestrate their offensive success just last season. The video evidence spread across social media faster than a Jared Goff touchdown pass, showing thousands of Lions supporters united in their disdain for their former coordinator.
The timing couldn’t have been more brutal. There’s Johnson, watching his new team get absolutely torched by his former employer, while tens of thousands of people who once cheered his play-calling are now questioning his life choices at maximum volume. That’s what I call a homecoming from hell.
Ben Johnson’s Nightmare Return to Motor City
Let’s be honest here—Johnson probably expected some hostility. Former coordinators don’t usually get the red carpet treatment when they return as opposing head coaches. But a 31-point beatdown accompanied by stadium-wide profanity chants? That’s next-level brutal.
The Lions offense, the same unit Johnson helped mold into a juggernaut, proceeded to put on an absolute clinic. Goff threw for 334 yards and five touchdowns with a near-perfect 156.0 quarterback rating. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught three of those touchdowns while racking up 115 receiving yards. Even the running game got in on the action, with both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery finding the end zone.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s Bears managed just 21 points and turned the ball over multiple times. The contrast was stark, painful, and probably felt like watching your ex thrive immediately after your messy breakup—except this breakup was televised and accompanied by a crowd of 65,000 people questioning your decision-making abilities.
Jared Goff Steps Up to Defend His Former Coach
Credit where credit’s due—Lions quarterback Jared Goff showed some class in the aftermath. When asked about the chant, Goff didn’t join the pile-on. Instead, he took the high road: “I didn’t like that. He did a lot for us. I don’t know if he deserved that.”
Goff’s response highlights the complicated nature of these situations. While fans see Johnson’s departure as a betrayal, players understand the business side of the NFL. Johnson spent three seasons helping build Detroit’s offensive identity, and his fingerprints are all over the success they’re enjoying now. The man deserves some respect, even if the timing of his exit stung.
But let’s be real—expecting NFL fans to be rational about former coaches jumping to division rivals is like expecting a Bears offense to suddenly become competent. It’s theoretically possible, but don’t hold your breath.
The Lions Continue Their Historic Dominance Over Chicago
This wasn’t just any old divisional beatdown. The 52 points marked the second-highest total the Lions have ever scored against the Bears in 191 meetings between these franchises. Only a 55-point explosion back in 1997 topped Sunday’s offensive showcase.
That’s 191 games spanning decades of football, and the Lions just delivered one of their most dominant performances ever. The timing, with Johnson on the opposing sideline, made it even more satisfying for Detroit fans. It’s like the football gods scripted this entire scenario for maximum drama and humiliation.
The Lions offense looked unstoppable, converting opportunities with the efficiency of a machine. When your quarterback completes 23 of 28 passes and your receivers are running wide open all afternoon, you know the game plan is working to perfection. Johnson, watching from across the field, probably felt like he was seeing ghosts of his own offensive schemes being executed against him.
Bears Face Reality Check After Brutal Loss
For Johnson and the Bears, this loss represents more than just a divisional defeat—it’s a harsh reality check about where this team currently stands. At 0-2, Chicago’s playoff hopes are already on life support, and performances like Sunday’s don’t inspire much confidence in a quick turnaround.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams showed flashes with 207 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the overall execution was nowhere near championship level. The Bears managed just 339 total yards while turning the ball over multiple times against a Lions defense that’s far from elite.
Johnson, to his credit, handled the post-game questioning with professionalism. When asked about Dan Campbell’s decision to keep the pedal down late in the game, Johnson didn’t take the bait: “What’s he supposed to do? It’s fourth-and-goal. What do you want him to do?”
That’s the response of a coach who understands that complaining about the scoreboard won’t fix his team’s fundamental issues. The Bears have bigger problems than hurt feelings over running up the score.
The Harsh Reality of NFL Coaching Moves
Sunday’s events perfectly illustrate the brutal nature of NFL coaching careers. Johnson made a calculated decision to leave a successful situation in Detroit for a head coaching opportunity in Chicago. It’s the kind of move that makes perfect sense on paper—more money, more responsibility, more control over the franchise.
But football isn’t played on paper, and the Lions just served up a brutal reminder of what Johnson left behind. The offensive system he helped create is humming along beautifully without him, while his new team struggles to move the ball consistently against anyone with a pulse.
The chant from Lions fans, while crude, reflects a genuine sense of betrayal that many fan bases feel when key personnel jump to division rivals. It’s not necessarily fair, but it’s undeniably human. These fans invested emotionally in Johnson’s success, and his departure to help a divisional rival felt personal.
