3 Lions Who Could Leave Detroit to Follow Ben Johnson
By Jovan Alford
Immediately after their disappointing playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, the Detroit Lions saw offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn get head coaching jobs.
Glenn is the new head coach of the New York Jets, while Johnson will stay in the NFC North and coach the Chicago Bears. The Lions won’t see Glenn and the Jets next season, but they will see Johnson twice.
However, before the Lions and Bears face off next season, Detroit must worry about some free agents potentially leaving the Motor City in the offseason.
A few unrestricted free agents will go to New York with Glenn, while others will join Johnson in the Windy City. Since Johnson is more of an offensive guy, the Lions could lose a couple of key players that helped them win 15 games during the regular season and clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Below, we’ll discuss three players who could depart Detroit and join Johnson in Chicago when the new league year begins in March.
1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB
The Bears do not need another quarterback on their roster. Heading into next season, they already have Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, and Austin Reed (reserve/future deal).
However, with Johnson bringing his offensive scheme from Detroit to Chicago, it might not be a bad idea to see if Teddy Bridgewater wants to play for one more season. The 32-year-old QB re-signed with the Lions in December after serving as a high school football coach at his alma mater (Miami Northwestern) and leading them to a state title.
Bridgewater didn’t see much time in the last few weeks of the regular season but made a brief appearance in the Divisional Round game against the Commanders. The veteran QB came in for starting QB Jared Goff, who was banged up after throwing a pick-six.
Bridgewater hasn’t revealed his plans for the 2025 season. However, having a veteran in the locker room to help out Williams and Bagent wouldn’t be a bad idea.
However, the Lions would be losing a veteran presence in their locker room, but they also have to see what they have in Hendon Hooker. Hooker was made inactive for the Lions’ playoff game against the Commanders for Bridgewater to be the QB2.
The veteran quarterback retired from the NFL after the 2023 season – his first year in the Motor City.
In his two stints with the Lions, Bridgewater has only appeared in one regular season game. But at this stage of his career, the veteran quarterback is considered an emergency option who can step in when called upon.