Dan Campbell Unconcerned About Timing of Lions’ Matchups with Ben Johnson’s Bears

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t wasting any mental energy worrying about when his team will face the Chicago Bears in the upcoming 2025 NFL season. The Bears, now coached by former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, are seen as a potential wild card in the NFC North. Yet, Campbell remains steadfast in his belief that timing won’t affect the Lions’ readiness or performance.

Asked about the schedule and whether there was any added anticipation about facing a former colleague, Campbell didn’t bite. “It doesn’t matter when we play them,” he told reporters. “It could be Week 1 or Week 18. Our preparation won’t change.”

Johnson, who played a vital role in building one of the league’s most efficient and creative offenses in Detroit, took over as head coach of the Bears during the offseason. His move to a division rival raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about future matchups between the two teams.

Despite the media buzz, Campbell isn’t dwelling on storylines. His philosophy has always been about focus, resilience, and playing physical football regardless of who’s on the opposite sideline. It’s a mindset that has served the Lions well during their recent resurgence.

“There’s a level of respect for Ben, no question,” Campbell said. “But once that ball is kicked off, none of that matters. We’ve got a job to do, and so do they.”

For Lions fans, the thought of Johnson trying to outmaneuver his former boss adds spice to the rivalry. But Campbell isn’t one to get caught up in narratives. He views each game as a separate battle and emphasizes consistency over hype.

Johnson’s familiarity with the Lions’ system could theoretically provide an advantage, especially early in his tenure with Chicago. However, Campbell sees it differently. “Familiarity doesn’t equal success,” he said. “It still comes down to who executes better on the field.”

Detroit’s locker room seems to be echoing that sentiment. Veterans and younger players alike acknowledge Johnson’s impact, but they’re not dwelling on his departure. Their focus is squarely on continuing to build under Campbell and his current staff.

“He helped us a lot, no doubt,” said quarterback Jared Goff. “But we’ve turned the page. We’re working with a great staff now, and our offense is in good hands.”

The Lions promoted Tanner Engstrand to offensive coordinator, and the transition has been smooth. Engstrand has added new wrinkles to the playbook while maintaining the core identity built during Johnson’s time in Detroit.

Defensively, the Lions are bracing for a Bears team that could resemble their own recent approach—balanced, creative, and aggressive. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is preparing his unit for a variety of looks, knowing that Johnson is capable of crafting game plans tailored to his personnel.

“It’s not just about tendencies,” Glenn said. “We’ve got to expect the unexpected. Ben knows us, but we know him too.”

As Campbell continues to steer Detroit’s culture, his steady hand and no-nonsense attitude have become a defining trait. His indifference to outside noise is not dismissive—it’s intentional. He wants his team focused on internal standards, not external drama.

The Lions are coming off two strong seasons, including a deep playoff run in 2024. Expectations are high in Detroit, but Campbell isn’t letting that shift the team’s approach. Every opponent is treated with respect, but none are elevated above others.

“We respect every team we face, but we don’t fear anyone,” Campbell said. “And we don’t circle dates on calendars. That’s not how we operate.”

This professional approach could give Detroit an edge as the season progresses. While other teams might get caught up in emotional subplots, the Lions are laser-focused on the long game—winning the division, securing playoff positioning, and ultimately competing for a Super Bowl.

The NFC North figures to be one of the more intriguing divisions in the league this year. With the Bears under new leadership, the Packers developing Jordan Love, and the Vikings trying to rebuild, every game carries weight. But Campbell refuses to let drama distract from Detroit’s goals.

“We know we’ve got targets on our backs now,” he said. “That comes with success. But we’re not flinching. We’re embracing it.”

When the Lions eventually meet the Bears—whether early or late in the season—the matchups will no doubt draw attention. Fans will dissect every play, looking for evidence of who came out on top in the Campbell-Johnson chess match.

But for Campbell, it’s all just football. “We prepare the same way every week,” he said. “We show up, we put the work in, and we go play our brand of football.”

That brand—tough, disciplined, and team-first—has become the blueprint for Detroit’s turnaround. And it’s why Campbell isn’t worried about any single game on the schedule.

“We’re not in the prediction business,” he concluded. “We’re in the performance business. And that’s all we’re focused on.”

The Detroit Lions have waived the cornerback they just signed

Divaad Wilson had only a short time in Motown.

Cornerback Divaad Wilson’s stint in Detroit was brief.

After formally announcing the signing of former Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Trystan Colon, the Detroit Lions decided on the 25-year-old defensive back.

Just 48 hours after signing Wilson, the organization waived him with an injury designation.

Center Since declaring his retirement, Frank Ragnow has yet to appear on the official NFL transaction report. Following the addition of Colon, who can give depth to Detroit’s offensive line, the personnel department was forced to reduce the roster by one player.

Throughout his career, Wilson has 10 tackles and one pass defensed. He has previously been with the Giants, Cardinals, and Jaguars.

Detroit’s defensive backfield looked to be pretty strong, so making the team out of training camp could have been difficult for the former UCF defensive back.

Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw are anticipated to make significant progress with veteran D.J. Reed, who has been pleased by the depth of talent in Detroit’s secondary.

“I’m more of a kind of show what I do, and if you pick off it, if you have questions, I got you,” Reed told reporters last week. “But I’m new here, so I’m not going to just come in and tell everyone what works. It’s as if someone approaches me and asks me a question, and vice versa. I ask them questions. I’m new here, so they know more than I do about the playbook and experience, so I’m asking them more questions than they are asking me right now.”

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• John Maakaron has been covering Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings extensive expertise covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John has a variety of sports broadcasting expertise. In 2013, John got the idea to start the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded almost 3000 podcasts about Detroit sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a traditional sports media organization, collaborated with Detroit Sports Podcast to deliver daily Lions content for their growing and increasing digital media platform. Our Lions content is now available in the newspaper at The Oakland He is passionate about Detroit sports, and it shows in his coverage of local teams!

The Detroit Lions can move on from Frank Ragnow.

The Lions will find a way to win without Frank Ragnow in 2025.
By Vito Chirco | June 3, 2025.

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow walks off the field following practice at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Sunday, July 23, 2023.
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow walks off the field following practice at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park on Sunday, July 23, 2023. / Junfu Han, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

The Frank Ragnow era in Detroit has come to an end. Ragnow, who missed the Detroit Lions’ first session of OTAs this spring, announced his retirement on Monday.

The No. 20 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft spent his entire seven-year career in Detroit. He left an indelible impression on the Lions franchise, anchoring the team’s offensive line from center for six of his seven years.

The Arkansas product was a consummate professional both inside and outside of the locker room, and he helped Detroit turn from cellar dwellers to NFC North division champions in 2023 and 2024.

He was adored by his teammates for his perseverance and courage as he battled injury after injury over his final four NFL seasons.

It began in 2021, when a toe ailment limited him to only four games. The following season, he played 16 games despite a groin ailment. Meanwhile, in 2023, he was on the injured report for the bulk of the season while suffering from calf, back, knee, and ankle problems. Ragnow only missed one game last season due to a partly torn pectoral muscle.

Throughout, the interior offensive lineman was regarded as one of the league’s greatest centers, receiving numerous awards. From 2020 to 2024, he was selected to four Pro Bowls and three second-team All-Pro appearances.

Unquestionably, losing Ragnow is a significant setback to the Lions’ offensive line heading into the 2025 season. However, this does not imply that “the sky is falling” on Dan Campbell’s team overnight or that Ragnow is irreplaceable. After all the wear and tear it’s been through in recent years, there’s a good probability his body would have given out on him by now.

It’s one of the reasons why the Lions have made significant investments in the offensive line over the last two rounds, drafting four offensive lineman. Detroit general manager Brad Holmes selected two linemen in 2024 and 2025, picking Giovanni Manu (fourth round) and Christian Mahogany (sixth round) last spring and Tate Ratledge (second round) and Miles Frazier (fifth round) in May.

This upcoming season, both Mahogany and Ratledge are projected to see significant playing time on the offensive line’s interior. Ratledge, who got plenty of reps at center in Ragnow’s absence during OTAs last week, is likely to contend for the starting center job in training camp with veteran lineman Graham Glasgow.

Ratledge, who was picked as a potential long-term successor to Ragnow, could now be thrown into play in the middle of Detroit’s offensive line as a rookie.

While this isn’t the best circumstance for the Lions, it also doesn’t have to be a disaster.

There is precedent for an NFL team needing to replace a Pro Bowl center and then winning the Super Bowl the following season. The most recent example is the 2024 Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Following the 2023 season, the Eagles were forced to replace franchise icon Jason Kelce, as well as hire new offensive and defensive coordinators. The Lions are in the same scenario, with two new coordinators (offensive coordinator John Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard) starting in 2025.

So, despite Ragnow’s unexpected departure, the Lions’ 2025 season is far from over. If Ratledge is as good as the team believes he is, the Lions will be OK and might still win the Lombardi Trophy at the conclusion of the season.