Analyst predicts Lions could take a step back thanks to Bears' thievery

It's no secret that losing Ben Johnson, one of the key architects of the Detroit Lions' explosive and effective offense, could have a huge impact on Jared Goff and the rest of the teams' production in 2025.

That's why we'll continue to see pieces like that of NFL Network senior news writer Kevin Petra declaring that one of the biggest potential roadblocks to the Lions losing the NFC North this year is "brain drain" - a fancy way of describing the loss of multiple key staff members in the offense due to their own success leading to bigger and better opportunities.

In his latest article, he goes long on how each NFC North team can win and lose the division. For Detroit, the answer is simple for Petra in terms of how they can drop the division after such a successful 2024 season - losing Johnson, Aaron Glenn, and other key staff just hurts.

"Brain Drain is real. Johnson was a sorcerer in how he constructed his offensive game flow. He knew the perfect time to call that trick play to break an opponent's back. He might take some grief for how he managed the playoff loss, but the totality of his run as OC far outweighs a single game. What does Morton bring to the table? In his lone season as an NFL play-caller (New York Jets, 2017), his offense ranked 24th in points and 28th in yards. If things don't click for Morton, particularly with Goff, the offense could take a step back from its soaring high," wrote Petra.

Brain drain could impact Lions' NFC North victory chances

Losing Johnson and Glenn was always going to be a huge deal, regardless of how confidence head coach Dan Campbell is in their replacements. It's even harder to deal with considering Johnson didn't just leave for a head coaching vacancy, but specifically one with a direct divisional rival in the Chicago Bears.

He can now form a similarly dangerous offense with sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams under center, and a revamped offensive line there to support his efforts.

READ MORE: Lions just got Super Bowl validation from ESPN without Ben Johnson’s help

Petra also expands on just how difficult the Lions' schedule is this season, with Goff set to have to mow down a gauntlet of quarterback talent to stay afloat. That list includes games against Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels and Matthew Stafford just on the road alone.

While they still have a young and explosive core on both sides of the field to lean on, Detroit will have to hope that new OC John Morton can fill Johnson's shoes effectively.