The Detroit Lions will close out a disappointing 2025-26 campaign on Sunday, January 4, sitting at 8-8 and officially out of the playoff picture. Around the NFL, many observers have traced Detroit’s late-season collapse to the offseason departure of former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears.
The contrast between the two franchises has been striking. While Detroit regressed, Chicago surged. Under Johnson, the Bears have already clinched a playoff berth, sit atop the NFC North, and could finish as high as second overall in the NFC. The rapid turnaround has only intensified questions in Detroit about how the Lions can recapture the offensive identity that once made them contenders.
One possible solution may come from an aggressive and familiar NFL tactic: hiring from a rival’s staff. If the Lions are serious about restoring Johnson’s offensive blueprint, they could look directly into his coaching tree—specifically at one of his most trusted protégés.
That name is J.T. Barrett. A former Ohio State quarterback, Barrett served as Detroit’s assistant quarterbacks coach during the 2023 and 2024 seasons before following Johnson to Chicago. Now the Bears’ quarterbacks coach, Barrett has been instrumental in working with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams during Chicago’s breakout season.
In a January 2 piece for Detroit Jock City, writer Nick Halden identified Barrett as a compelling candidate to replace Johnson’s influence in Detroit, potentially as offensive coordinator. Halden noted that Barrett’s coaching ascent has been rapid but rooted in firsthand experience with the Lions’ most successful offensive era.
Barrett’s professional playing career included a stint on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad in 2019 and a brief run with the CFL’s Edmonton Elks in 2022, which was cut short by injury. That setback ultimately opened the door to coaching, where Barrett quickly earned Johnson’s trust and climbed the ranks.
While hiring Barrett would be a gamble—he has no NFL play-calling experience—there is a growing belief that his deep familiarity with Johnson’s system could outweigh the risks. As Halden noted, Barrett may represent Detroit’s best chance to rediscover the rhythm, creativity, and confidence that once defined its offense.
Despite the struggles, the Lions remain a national draw. Their Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Vikings averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers on Netflix, making it the most-streamed NFL game in American history, according to Nielsen. The audience peaked at over 30 million viewers, surpassing last year’s Ravens–Texans matchup.
Detroit has long branded itself on resilience, pride, and redemption. If the franchise leans into that identity this offseason—possibly by betting on a familiar face from Ben Johnson’s inner circle—the Lions could be positioning themselves for a compelling comeback narrative heading into the 2026-27 season.
