Three Lions on the Chopping Block Following Ben Johnson’s Departure

Two days after the Lions’ disappointing divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s departure was officially announced. On Monday, it was reported that the Chicago Bears would hire Johnson as their next head coach.

The Lions had the best offensive unit in the league in 2024, scoring more points than anyone else. Johnson was the driving force behind this success, despite working with a non-elite quarterback like Jared Goff. His departure is almost certainly going to hurt Detroit in the short and medium term.

It’s unclear how Dan Campbell will replace Johnson, but this move puts a few Lions on the chopping block.

Quarterback Jared Goff

Under Ben Johnson in Detroit, Goff had his best seasons to date. He was a promising young quarterback in Los Angeles, making two Pro Bowl appearances and leading the team to a deep playoff run. It wasn’t until he moved to Detroit that Goff became the quarterback of the NFL’s best offence.

Johnson was a mastermind at concealing Goff’s flaws and gaps in his game. Even though those flaws were difficult to overcome in the playoffs, Goff and Johnson had a fantastic partnership for the previous four seasons.

Whoever replaces Johnson as offensive coordinator will be responsible for continuing to get the most out of Goff. Given how poorly the Commanders performed, the Lions would be wise to bring in a quality QB2 to serve as a backup option if things go wrong next season.

OL Graham Glasgow

Graham Glasgow endured a difficult season in 2024. The 32-year-old veteran offensive lineman showed significant decline throughout the season. Glasgow’s switch from right guard to left guard in the absence of Jonah Jackson did not pay off for the Lions, as he had the worst season of his career since his rookie year.

Glasgow received a 57.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 55th out of 75 qualified guards in the league. His struggles continued into the playoffs, contributing significantly to Jared Goff’s lack of protection against the Commanders. In 69 snaps, he received a dismal 10.2 pass block grade from PFF.

This represents a significant drop from where he was last season. Glasgow’s versatility on the offensive line proved to be extremely valuable to the team after signing with Detroit for a second time in the offseason of 2023. Things were not the same in 2024.

In the offseason of 2024, the Lions signed Glasgow to a three-year, $20 million contract extension. He is now due $5.5 million next season and $6.5 million the following year. It’s difficult to justify paying him that much as he approaches his mid-30s and likely continues to decline.

With rookie Christian Mahogany showing flashes in his limited playing time, the Lions should move on from Glasgow. Whether through a trade or by cutting him, the Lions are probably better off without Glasgow and with a different look to their offensive line.

TE Brock Wright

Wright is a positive development story for the Lions. Wright, who was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2021 NFL Draft, displayed intriguing flashes during his first two seasons in Detroit.

He had a solid sophomore season, appearing in every game, starting ten, and totalling 216 yards and four touchdowns. Wright emerged as a reliable end-zone target and had a few standout performances.

The 49ers extended him an offer sheet as a restricted free agent in the 2024 offseason. The Lions matched the three-year, $12 million offer and retained Wright.

Wright has since been unable to take the necessary next step. He was reliable once more, playing every game and more than half of the offensive snaps. However, given his role, he did not have the expected impact.

Wright received a 52.0 grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 65th out of 75 qualified tight ends. His 57.7 pass block grade and 51.8 run block grade were equally disappointing for a player whose primary responsibility is blocking. In addition, he threw for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

This production is easily replaceable by the Lions. Wright is under contract for two more seasons, and releasing him in the offseason would cost Detroit $2.8 million. Wright and the Lions would benefit from a split in the offseason, whether it means cutting or trading him.