Dan Campbell Confident Lions Can Maintain Offense Without Ben Johnson: “The Players Are the Ones Who Make It What It Is”

April 9, 2025 – Detroit, MI – The Detroit Lions are entering the 2025 NFL season with a major change: the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has taken the head coaching job with the rival Chicago Bears. Yet, head coach Dan Campbell remains unshaken, expressing unwavering confidence in his team’s ability to sustain its high-octane offense. In a recent statement that’s reverberating through the NFL, Campbell declared, “The players are the ones who make it what it is,” emphasizing that the Lions’ success hinges on their roster, not just their play-caller. As Detroit prepares for a pivotal year, Campbell’s belief in his squad signals a bold outlook for a team aiming to build on its 2024 success.

Ben Johnson’s Departure: A Seismic Shift

Ben Johnson’s tenure as the Lions’ offensive coordinator was nothing short of transformative. Since taking over in 2022, he turned Detroit’s offense into a juggernaut, ranking in the NFL’s top five in yardage and scoring for three consecutive seasons. In 2024, the Lions averaged an NFL-best 33.2 points per game, fueled by Johnson’s creative play-calling—think trick plays like the hook-and-lateral against Green Bay—and his ability to maximize quarterback Jared Goff’s potential. His departure to Chicago, announced in early 2025, stunned Lions fans and intensified the NFC North rivalry.

Losing a coordinator of Johnson’s caliber could spell trouble for most teams, but Campbell isn’t sweating it. Speaking at the NFL’s annual league meetings last week, he downplayed the impact, saying, “This is a Detroit Lion offense, is what it is. This offense is Jared Goff, (Amon-Ra) St. Brown, (Jahmyr) Gibbs, (David) Montgomery. It’s Frank (Ragnow); it’s (Penei) Sewell; it’s (Taylor) Decker. I can keep going. It’s (Jameson Williams). That’s what we are.” For Campbell, the players—not the playbook—are the heart of the Lions’ success.

The Players Who Define the Lions’ Offense

Campbell’s confidence isn’t blind optimism—it’s rooted in a roster brimming with talent. Jared Goff, fresh off a 2024 season where he posted career highs in completion percentage (72.4%), touchdowns (37), and passer rating (111.8), is the linchpin. Under Johnson, Goff evolved from a cast-off to a Pro Bowl quarterback, and Campbell expects him to take “another step up” in 2025 with new offensive coordinator John Morton. Goff’s familiarity with the system, paired with his veteran poise, gives the Lions a stable foundation.

Then there’s the supporting cast. Amon-Ra St. Brown, a 2024 All-Pro, remains one of the league’s most reliable receivers, hauling in 1,515 yards last season. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery form a dynamic duo, combining for over 2,000 rushing yards in 2024. The offensive line—featuring Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell, and Taylor Decker—is arguably the NFL’s best, providing Goff with a clean pocket and opening lanes for the ground game. Add in the explosive Jameson Williams, and it’s easy to see why Campbell trusts his players to carry the load.

John Morton Steps In: Continuity Over Chaos

Replacing Johnson is no small task, but the Lions tapped John Morton, a seasoned coach with a track record of success. Morton served as Detroit’s senior offensive assistant in 2022, giving him insight into the system Johnson built, before spending two years as the Denver Broncos’ passing game coordinator under Sean Payton. His resume includes stints with Jon Gruden, Pete Carroll, and Jim Harbaugh, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.

Campbell highlighted Morton’s familiarity as a key factor. “John was here when we built this thing back up in ’22,” he said. “I know him, I trust him.” Unlike a complete overhaul, Morton’s appointment ensures continuity, allowing the Lions to tweak rather than rebuild their offense. Campbell has made it clear he wants to “keep our terminology in place,” minimizing the learning curve for Goff and company. Morton’s challenge will be maintaining the creativity that defined Johnson’s tenure, but with this roster, he has the tools to succeed.

Why Campbell’s Confidence Matters

Campbell’s assertion that “the players are the ones who make it what it is” isn’t just coach-speak—it’s a philosophy that’s guided the Lions to new heights. Since taking over in 2021, Campbell has fostered a culture of toughness and accountability, turning a perennial underdog into a 15-2 powerhouse in 2024. His 2025 roster returns 10 of 11 offensive starters, with only guard Kevin Zeitler departing in free agency. Multi-year extensions for Goff, St. Brown, Montgomery, Sewell, and Decker underscore the Lions’ commitment to their core.

This continuity gives Campbell reason to believe the offense won’t skip a beat. Posts on X echo this sentiment, with fans and analysts praising the Lions’ depth. One user noted, “Lions offense is loaded—Goff, St. Brown, Gibbs, Sewell. Johnson leaving hurts, but Campbell’s right: the players drive this.” Another wrote, “Morton’s no Johnson, but with that line and those weapons, Detroit’s still a top-5 offense.” The consensus? Talent trumps transition.

Challenges Ahead in 2025

Still, the road won’t be easy. The Lions face a brutal 2025 schedule, including road games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Rams—all 2024 playoff teams. Within the NFC North, Johnson’s Bears, armed with quarterback Caleb Williams, loom as a revitalized threat. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, both playoff contenders in 2024, won’t make divisional play a cakewalk either.

Morton’s ability to adapt Johnson’s scheme to his own style will be under scrutiny. Can he replicate the “explosives” that made Detroit’s offense unpredictable—like the trick plays that baffled defenses? Campbell’s faith in his players suggests yes, but the proof will come in September when the season kicks off. Training camp, starting July 27, will offer the first glimpse of how Morton’s vision aligns with the Lions’ identity.

A Super Bowl Contender Regardless?

Despite the coaching shakeup, the Lions remain Super Bowl contenders. Their 2024 campaign—a franchise-best 15-2 record and an NFC Championship appearance—proved they can compete with anyone. Campbell’s confidence reflects a belief that the foundation he and GM Brad Holmes built is strong enough to weather Johnson’s exit. “This train rolls on,” he said earlier this year, a mantra that resonates now more than ever.

The defense, led by new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard after Aaron Glenn’s departure to the New York Jets, will need to hold up its end. But offensively, the Lions have the pieces to stay elite. Campbell’s message is clear: schemes matter, but execution wins. With Goff steering the ship and a loaded supporting cast, Detroit’s offense could still rank among the NFL’s best in 2025.

Conclusion: Players Over Playbooks

Dan Campbell’s assertion—“The players are the ones who make it what it is”—is both a rallying cry and a promise. As the Detroit Lions navigate life without Ben Johnson, their head coach’s faith in his roster shines through. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and the offensive line aren’t just names—they’re the heartbeat of a team poised for greatness. With John Morton at the helm and a brutal schedule ahead, 2025 will test Campbell’s theory. But if the past four years are any indication, the Lions’ players are ready to prove their coach right, one explosive play at a time.