Ben Johnson’s Comments Taken Out of Context: A Clear Misunderstanding About Jared Goff

As the Detroit Lions’ former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson made a significant impact on the team before accepting the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears. Since his move to the Bears, some Lions fans have found new ways to criticize him—most notably, the recent backlash regarding his comments about Jared Goff. Many fans have misunderstood his words, and Johnson himself took the opportunity to clarify the situation at the NFL league meetings. Here’s why the controversy over Johnson’s remarks has been blown out of proportion.

The “Distraction” During the Playoffs – Was It Really That Bad?

One of the first criticisms Johnson faced came from his interview process for head coaching roles during the Lions’ playoff run. While some fans felt his attention was divided, the reality is that Johnson wasn’t the only coach in this position. Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, was also interviewed while his team was in the Super Bowl. Despite any perceived distractions, Johnson continued to guide the Lions to impressive offensive performances, including putting up 500 yards and 31 points in a game this year.

Johnson’s ability to balance his responsibilities with the Lions while navigating the head coaching interview process speaks to his professionalism. While some fans may not have liked the timing, it didn’t affect his ability to lead a high-performing offense during the season.

The “Bad Departure” Myth – Debunking the False Narrative

Another narrative that has gained traction is that Johnson left the Lions in a negative way, with many assuming he abandoned the team in the middle of the night. The truth? That couldn’t be further from the case. Johnson’s departure was cordial, and the Lions have consistently expressed goodwill toward him. Contrary to some reports, Johnson didn’t have his full coaching staff ready to go in advance, as the Bears took several weeks to finalize their staff and conduct interviews.

The Lions’ leadership has wished Johnson nothing but the best, and their remarks about his departure have been entirely positive. The notion that Johnson left the Lions under poor terms is a fabrication, one that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.

The Goff “Shade” Controversy – A Misunderstanding of the Facts

One of the latest criticisms of Johnson centers around claims that he doesn’t like Jared Goff, or that he’s throwing shade at the Lions’ starting quarterback. This narrative emerged after a few clips of Johnson speaking about quarterback mobility were taken out of context. Johnson simply stated that he’s never really worked with a mobile quarterback in the NFL—this was a straightforward comment and not a critique of Goff’s abilities.

Goff, as many know, isn’t known for his mobility. But Johnson didn’t specifically mention Goff by name, and certainly didn’t say anything disparaging. There was no hidden criticism behind his statement, but rather a simple acknowledgment of the realities of the Lions’ quarterback situation.

The “Penei Sewell is a Better QB” Joke – Taken Far Too Seriously

Another moment that caught the ire of Lions fans was a joke made by Johnson during a press conference. He joked that Penei Sewell, the Lions’ star offensive tackle, could be a better quarterback than Goff. Of course, this was clearly a playful remark about a specific play that didn’t work out in a game, not a serious commentary on Sewell’s quarterback skills. Yet, some fans took the joke far too seriously, misinterpreting it as a shot at Goff.

Johnson, who is known for his sense of humor, wasn’t knocking Goff; he was simply making light of a situation in a way that didn’t warrant the level of outrage it received.

Johnson’s Clarification: Setting the Record Straight

At the NFL league meetings, Johnson addressed the controversy directly. When asked about his comments, he took the opportunity to clear up any confusion. “It was not a shot at Jared. I’ve talked to Jared about it. Sometimes your comments get skewed a little bit. That was not my intent. He certainly understands that. It was more directed toward Caleb and what he brings to the table,” Johnson explained.

There you have it. Johnson clarified that his remarks were taken out of context, and that the comments were not directed at Goff in any negative way. Instead, they were a discussion about the skill set of Caleb (likely referring to a different quarterback or player), and how his abilities might differ from Goff’s. Johnson and Goff have since spoken, and the quarterback understands the true intent of the comments.

Why All the Drama?

It’s easy to understand why Lions fans might feel protective of their team and their quarterback, especially when a former coach, now with a rival NFC North team, makes a comment that can be misinterpreted. But at the end of the day, Ben Johnson is not trying to undermine Jared Goff or his contributions to the Lions. The remarks that sparked this controversy were taken completely out of context and have been blown out of proportion.

Johnson’s move to the Bears doesn’t need to be seen as a betrayal; it’s simply part of his professional journey. The Lions have moved forward with a positive outlook, and Johnson is focused on building something strong with the Bears. Fans on both sides should focus on the bigger picture—the growth of both teams in a competitive NFC North division—rather than feeding into unnecessary drama.

Conclusion: Moving On from the Misunderstandings

While Ben Johnson’s comments have stirred up a fair amount of controversy, it’s clear that much of the drama was based on misinterpretations. Johnson wasn’t slamming Goff, nor was he trying to undermine his former team. Instead, the narrative should focus on the growth and development of both the Lions and the Bears as they look to improve in the upcoming seasons.

For now, it’s time to move past the misconceptions and support the teams as they prepare for the future. The NFL is about competition, and with Johnson now coaching the Bears, expect even more thrilling NFC North matchups. Fans from both sides can look forward to seeing how these two teams evolve—without getting bogged down in needless drama.