Not wanting Ben Johnson to leave for a head coaching job is one thing, and understandable in a broad sense, but Detroit Lions’ fans took their chagrin to a ridiculous level when he did so to be the head coach of the Chicago Bears less than 48 hours after the Lions’ season-ending loss to the Washington Commanders.
The conversation then shifted to Lions’ assistant coaches who could follow Johnson to the Bears, and two did (wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett).
Similar to former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in his new role as the New York Jets’ head coach, it’s fair to assume Johnson will have some of his former Lions’ players on his radar for his new team this offseason. Of course that basically means free agents, with few options to trade for. Like Glenn and defensive players, those potential targets will naturally skew toward offensive players with Johnson.
Here are three Lions free agents who could follow Johnson to Chicago.
3 2025 Lions free agents who could follow Ben Johnson to the Bears
3. OT Dan Skipper
Skipper is the kind of “do whatever’s asked of me” role player and fantastic locker room fit the Lions will surely want to keep around. He may get usurped as the sixth offensive lineman/third offensive tackle though, which can only be covered so much with intangible, “cult hero” qualities when it comes time to shape a 53-man roster.
There’s no denying Dan Campbell loves “Skip” a lot, but as the Bears try to fortify their locker room culture and offensive line depth Johnson could be the driver of some interest in him.
2. WR Tim Patrick
Patrick became everything the Lions needed in a Josh Reynolds replacement this season (33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns, one drop on 44 targets; 64.9 PFF run blocking grade: ninth-best at the position). But they also landed on him as an option very late after the Denver Broncos let him go, and after having a fairly inexplicable level of faith in their internal options to replace Reynolds.
Patrick is also going to turn 32 during next season. Ideally the Lions can find a younger option to fill the No. 3 wide receiver role, and no matter what he can definitely be found before late-August like Patrick was before this season.
The Bears may lose veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen in free agency. Even if they don’t, Patrick might be someone Johnson wants to help fully fill out the wide receiver depth chart. Bringing a piece of the culture and core offensive mentality from Detroit to Chicago might be nice too.
1. OG Kevin Zeitler
The Lions are sure to place a high priority on re-signing Zeitler, but after the fantastic 2024 season he had they’ll have plenty of competition for his services. He’s probably not chasing money at this stage of his career, but if a team with cap space to burn (like the Bears) came calling it would be hard for him to turn away from.
Guard play was actually not an issue for the Bears this season, with Teven Jenkins and Matt Pryor both being graded by Pro Football Focus in the top-21overall at the position. But Jenkins is a free agent, and Pryor is versatile enough to move off right guard to make room for Zeitler.
Chicago’s offense won’t be an exact replication of the offense Johnson ran in Detroit. But Johnson knows the value of a top-notch offensive line, so some interest in Zeitler would be natural and the Bears could make an offer toward the higher end of any projected range.
