Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell no doubt vaulted the career of new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson to new heights. However, Campbell acknowledged during his media session at the NFL combine on Tuesday, Feb. 25, that Johnson helped do the same for him.
The Lions won the NFC North Division in each of the past two seasons, earning a spot in the championship game following the 2023 campaign as well as the No. 1 seed in the playoffs in 2024. The team went 9-8 in 2022.
Johnson served as offensive coordinator all three of those seasons, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was in his position for all four years that Campbell has been at the helm in Detroit. Both Johnson and Glenn departed for head coaching positions this offseason, Johnson to Chicago and Glenn to the New York Jets.
When speaking with media members, Campbell revealed the message he sent to both coordinators upon their departures.
"I told Ben Johnson and AG the most important thing you'll do as a head coach is hire your staff," Campbell said.
Johnson has hired Dennis Allen as his defensive coordinator, most recently the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He made more of a reach for his offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, 28, most recently the tight ends coach for the Denver Broncos under Sean Payton.
Johnson will serve as the primary offensive schemer and play caller for the Bears, which means Doyle will function more as a table-setter for Johnson as each week's offensive plan takes shape.
Richard Hightower is the lone coordinator holdover from the Matt Eberflus regime and will run the special teams unit.
Johnson hired nine-year NFL veteran Antwaan Randel El as the wide receivers coach/assistant head coach, former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as running backs coach and former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett as quarterbacks coach.
