Ben Johnson is making headlines at the NFL Combine, and some of the Lions are taking notice.
While answering a question Tuesday about his excitement to coach Caleb Williams in Chicago, Johnson gushed about Williams' "out-of-structure, off-schedule" playmaking ability in a way that came off, to some, as a slight to both Jared Goff and Detroit's defense:
“To have an athlete like Caleb (who can) extend the play and potentially find an explosive down the field, that’s what gets me going a little bit. I get excited thinking about that because I haven’t really been around that since I’ve been in the league. But I’ve been on the other side, and I have experienced it, and it’s demoralizing when you’re on the other side, watching that happen to your defense.”
The quote made the rounds on X as a knock on Goff. It was also a reminder of some of the struggles the Lions have had in containing mobile quarterbacks like Williams. The memory of Jayden Daniels and the Commanders ending the Lions' season is still fresh.
Safety Kerby Joseph caught wind of it and replied as you might expect him to:
Cornerback Amik Robertson also chimed in:
Johnson took another playful jab at Goff in an interview on Pro Football Talk when he was asked about the trick play the Lions ran against the Bears last season where Penei Sewell was supposed to roll out and throw a touchdown.
"The best part of that is he threw a dime every single time in practice. We probably repped that for three weeks and it was a dime. It was better than some other people -- Jared Go -- it was pretty darn good throwing on the move," Johnson said with a grin.
Johnson was always well-liked during his time in Detroit, and he and Goff were always tight. But he's certainly gaining some enemies with his latest comments as head coach of the Bears.