The Detroit Lions rolled over Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears, winning 52-21 with a bit of window dressing from Chicago's offense at the end, making it look a bit better than it was. Still, Goff voiced displeasure at the end of the game with how the crowd reacted to Johnson. With the Lions cruising to victory and emotions high, energy turned towards the former Detroit OC, who became the target of a "F--- Ben Johnson" chant. When Goff was asked about it, the veteran offered the following sentiment: "I didn't like that. He did a lot for us here, and I don't know if he deserved that."
The comment was reported by Detroit News writer Nolan Bianchi in a post that is going to garner a fair amount of fan attention. Making Johnson a target when the coordinator has given so much to the organization is not a very thoughtful move. One that speaks to the high level of emotions that went into this game.
Lions QB Jared Goff Defends Ben Johnson After Surprise Shot from Detroit Crowd
Goff is completely on the money, pointing out the fact that Detroit is in this position in the first place in large part due to the contributions of Johnson. Dan Campbell put in place two incredible coordinators, and even on Sunday, the influence of the former OC was felt in the offense. Even with the coach joining a division rival, there is reason for a level of mutual respect. Neither part is in the position they are currently in without the other. Something that fans should keep in mind when targeting the former coach.
It seems a lot of the emotion that went into this chant was due to media narratives and not an actual hate for the Lions' former OC. Johnson was beloved in the city only a season ago, and joining the little brother of division rivals isn't enough to wipe away all of this goodwill. Pointing to the fact that there was a high level of frustration with the idea that Detroit's chances at a Super Bowl window had passed them by.
John Morton and Dan Campbell put this notion to bed, blowing out the Bears and frustrating Johnson in his return to the city. Anything more was unneeded; the Lions' level of play spoke for itself. There simply wasn't a reason to add insult to injury and chant against a coach that meant so much to what your offense has become. From Jared Goff's confidence to the emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown, so much of this production was set up by the former coach.
It is a level of accomplishment that deserves a high level of respect, even after joining a rival. Goff's comments are on the money and should hit home with a fan base that has so often chanted the quarterback's name. The former coordinator didn't deserve this level of disrespect; the beatdown the Lions offense gave his team while standing on the other sideline spoke for itself.