LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — During four years together on the Dolphins’ coaching staff, Ben Johnson and Dan Campbell formed a unique friendship.
Johnson, who's in his first season as Bears head coach, was the young, bright analytical mind ready to rise through the ranks. Campbell, who’s in his fifth season as the Lions’ head coach, was the alpha former player focused on establishing his own hard-nosed style.
“That friendship is always going to be there,” Johnson said of Campbell. “I view him like family, and I think he would tell you the same thing. That will never change. We have fond memories of back when I was just a ‘young, snot-nosed computer punk,’ as he liked to call it in Miami.”
After Johnson and Campbell overlapped in Miami from 2012-'15, they spent the past four seasons together in Detroit, with Johnson serving as Campbell's offensive coordinator for the past three years before being hired by Chicago in January.
Now, Johnson and Campbell are set to square off as rivals on opposing sidelines. The Bears (0-1) and Lions (0-1) will kick off at noon CT on Sunday from Ford Field in Detroit. It will bring a fascinating matchup between friends who are now foes.
The 39-year-old Johnson is trying to build the Bears into a contender, while the 49-year-old Campbell is hoping to keep the Lions on top of the NFC North. Both teams suffered embarrassing losses to open the season.
The Lions lost 27-13 to the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field, with their Johnson-less offense in disarray. One day later, the Bears blew a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter and lost 27-24 to the Vikings in a primetime game at Soldier Field.
Both the Bears and Lions are in dire need of a bounce-back victory Sunday. For two proud coaches going up against each other, there’s plenty on the line.
Johnson’s departure from Detroit drew criticism locally. He accepted the Bears’ head coaching job fewer than 48 hours after the Lions' season ended with a 45-31 loss to the Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs. Adding to the fervor was that he left for a division rival.
When Johnson’s name is called in pregame introductions at Ford Field, he'll almost certainly hear loud boos from the fans in Detroit.
"Everything last year ran through my head,” Johnson said in reflecting on his departure from Detroit. “That was one of the unfortunate parts of making that decision – you're saying goodbye to a lot of friends and a great place.
“We felt like this was the best opportunity for myself and my family. We were really excited about coming to Chicago. At times, you have to make tough decisions."
Johnson quickly found he had a challenge at hand in leading the Bears. He took over a team that endured a 10-game losing streak last season and which needed guidance. In their disappointing loss in the opener, the Bears had an inconsistent offense, too many defensive breakdowns and 12 penalties for 127 yards. It was much of the same from 2024, when they went 5-12.
A frustrated Johnson hung his head in an abbreviated, five-minute postgame press conference, with his disappointment clear for all to see.
Week 1 results can be misleading, and the Bears played a curious game in their opener. Results through two contests are more revealing. Since the NFL expanded its postseason to 14 teams back in 2020, just two teams have reached the playoffs after an 0-2 start. Dating back to 2007, just 14 teams out of 139 that started 0-2 earned their way to the postseason.
If there’s hope for a breakthrough by the Bears in Johnson’s first season, there needs to be a sign of it Sunday at Ford Field. And for Campbell’s two-time reigning NFC North champions, that seat on the throne could be in jeopardy already.
There’s plenty at stake as Johnson and Campbell put their teams to the test in Detroit.
Emma's prediction (0-1) Lions 20, Bears 16
There's great intrigue as Ben Johnson returns to Detroit to lead his team on the road for the first time. At the core of this matchup are two teams that really want to avoid starting 0-2. The Bears will come up short once again in losing to the Lions.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.