Dan Campbell Had 3-Blunt Word Message for Bears HC Ben Johnson

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is never one to mince words. Known for his straight-talking, passionate demeanor, Campbell once again showed his no-nonsense personality when addressing the recent hiring of Ben Johnson—the former Lions offensive coordinator—as the new head coach of the division rival Chicago Bears. And his message? Simple, pointed, and classic Campbell: “Let’s go, man.”

Those three words may seem casual to some, but in the context of the NFL, especially between two head coaches in the same division with a shared history, they carry more weight than meets the eye. Johnson, who worked closely with Campbell in Detroit, was instrumental in crafting one of the league’s most efficient offenses over the last few seasons. His move to Chicago was expected, but still marked a significant change for both franchises.

Campbell’s brief message came during a media scrum after news of Johnson’s hire broke. Reporters asked Campbell if he had reached out to his former coordinator. With a half-smile and trademark intensity in his eyes, Campbell said, “Yeah. I told him, ‘Let’s go, man.’ That’s it.”

The phrase speaks volumes about Campbell’s approach to competition and leadership. It wasn’t sentimental. It wasn’t long-winded. It was an acknowledgment of mutual respect—and a challenge. For Campbell, coaching in the NFL is a battle, and Johnson is no longer an ally on the sidelines—he’s now a rival standing across from him in NFC North showdowns.

Johnson, on the other hand, has spoken highly of his time in Detroit and what he learned under Campbell’s leadership. The two formed a strong working relationship, often seen collaborating closely during games. Campbell gave Johnson the freedom to design and call plays, and Johnson rewarded that trust by helping turn Jared Goff into a high-performing quarterback and revitalizing the Lions’ offense.

Despite the shared success, Campbell’s response confirms his belief in turning the page quickly. There’s no lingering attachment, no overthinking about Johnson’s exit. Just a clear message that it’s time to compete. That’s the reality of the NFL, and it reflects the gritty, no-excuses culture Campbell has instilled in Detroit.

While Johnson’s new challenge in Chicago presents opportunities, it also comes with high expectations. The Bears are hoping he can replicate his success with the Lions and elevate a struggling franchise. His familiarity with Detroit’s system and personnel adds an interesting twist to upcoming matchups, but Campbell doesn’t seem concerned.

When asked whether Johnson’s insider knowledge poses a problem, Campbell shrugged. “He knows us, but we know him too,” he said. “This league’s about execution, not secrets.”

Players in the Lions’ locker room have expressed admiration for Johnson, but they’ve also quickly embraced Tanner Engstrand, who was promoted to offensive coordinator following Johnson’s departure. The message from Campbell to his team has been clear—respect the past, but focus on the present.

“Coach Johnson’s a good man,” said Goff. “But this is a new season, a new staff. We’re excited for what’s ahead, and we’re sticking to what Dan’s built here.”

The rivalry between the Lions and Bears, already one of the NFL’s oldest and most storied, gains a new layer with Johnson now leading Chicago. But Campbell isn’t interested in media-fueled narratives or emotional storylines. He’s more focused on preparing his team for physical, disciplined football—exactly the brand that has turned Detroit from a league punchline into a legitimate contender.

“Everything we do is about competition,” Campbell said. “It doesn’t matter who’s on the other side. If it’s Ben, great. But we’re going to bring it no matter what.”

That competitive fire is what separates Campbell from many of his coaching peers. His message to Johnson was short, but not dismissive. It was, in essence, a coach’s version of “game on.” An acknowledgment that the friendly partnership is over, and it’s time for business.

NFL fans are already circling the Lions-Bears games on the 2025 schedule. Not only will they be important for playoff positioning, but they now feature a personal edge. Campbell vs. Johnson isn’t a feud—it’s a football chess match between two strong-minded leaders who know each other well.

Campbell, true to form, refuses to get sentimental. “I love Ben,” he said. “But I’m not rooting for him when he’s playing us. That’s just how it is.”

Ultimately, Campbell’s three-word message—“Let’s go, man”—is emblematic of who he is as a leader: short on fluff, long on substance. It’s a challenge, a farewell, and a statement of intent all in one. The Lions aren’t looking back. They’re charging ahead, just like their head coach.

And when Campbell and Johnson finally meet on opposite sidelines this fall, the pregame handshake may be friendly—but what follows will be pure competition. Exactly how Campbell likes it.

Inside Coverage: Has the Detroit Lions’ window for the Super Bowl closed?

Inside Coverage: Has the Detroit Lions’ window for the Super Bowl closed?
The brief response is that the window has not been closed.

The more detailed response: It is undoubtedly in a more precarious situation than it was during the previous season.

For what reason?

Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab categorized it into three components:

Key departures and changes: The Lions have lost several significant players, such as the retiring All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and guard Kevin Zeitler, both their offensive and defensive coordinators, and a number of position instructors. This season, two of the five members of their premier offensive line from the previous season have departed.

The “erosion” effect: Fitz and Schwab concur that the Lions are still a Super Bowl contender with a strong roster, but they emphasize that these gradual losses — the “little erosions,” as Frank phrased it — can deplete a team. It is not a single catastrophic event; rather, it is a collection of changes that, when combined, impede the process of ascending to the summit.

“You lose your defensive coordinator, you lose your offensive coordinator, and everyone is one year older.” You will experience the same degree of injury fate as you did. Their agenda is more demanding. This year, their schedule is among the most challenging in the NFL. Schwab elaborated, “Two-fifths of your offensive line has disappeared from the previous year.” “It is merely a few minor erosions that transform us from the No. 1 seed in the NFC, with a 15-2 record, to the third seed in the NFC, with an 11-6 record.” Suddenly, you glance up and declare, “That concludes our Super Bowl window.”

A more challenging environment: The Lions are confronted with one of the most challenging schedules in the NFL this season, as well as a significantly enhanced NFC North division that includes the Bears, Packers, and Vikings, all of whom have genuine playoff aspirations. Fitz and Schwab engaged in a discussion regarding which team they would select to win the division. Fitz indicated that he would favor the field over the Lions at this time.

The Lions are not entirely eliminated from contention; they maintain a talented roster; however, the margin for error is significantly diminished. The likelihood of a repeat of the previous season is very low due to the numerous changes and more challenging circumstances.

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