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Brad Holmes adds more fuel to the Bears-Lions rivalry in 2025 by sharing his bittersweet opinion on Ben Johnson going to Chicago

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 12:09 PM ET

When the Chicago Bears hired head coach Ben Johnson a few months back, it looked like an easy decision to make for a franchise looking to find the right leader.

The offense was stagnant in 2024 and the team needed a coach who could come in and establish a new, strong, culture immediately.

The writing was all over the wall for the Bears to make this decision, yet everyday I'm still in awe that move was made, because this is the Chicago Bears we are talking about. For the first time in a long time, it feels like the organization did the right thing.

Already this offseason, we've seen that hire pay off. Johnson has been a breath of fresh air to the city of Chicago and the players in the locker room. One person in particular wasn't pleased about the decision, and it's easy to see why.

While appearing on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes gave his full and honest opinion about his former offensive coordinator joining his division rival.

"Obviously there were multiple jobs that were open that cycle. So, I knew that he had interviewed for Chicago, but he interviewed for a lot of the other positions too, I really didn't know which way it was going to go," Holmes explained. "I was thinking Chicago would probably be the last destination. Or I was probably hoping that."

That's the mindset a lot of people had. Many believed Chicago would overthink the hire and go with another candidate or that Johnson would choose another opening besides the Bears. Instead it worked out perfectly with Chicago landing the highly sought after candidate, something some people in the Lions' building were hoping wouldn't happen, even through internally they're happy he got the job.

"I was happy for him," Holmes added. "He's a helluva coach, they have a really good one up there. But, it's just a little like man, why Chicago."

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes on Ben Johnson taking the Chicago Bears head coaching job

“I was thinking Chicago would have probably been the LAST destination… it’s a little like, man… WHY CHICAGO?”

(: @greenlight ) pic.twitter.com/4j5ZksGPqH
— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) June 12, 2025

Now, the Lions will have to face the Johnson-lead Bears twice every season and he's going to bring some energy going up against his former team.

The first Bears-Lions matchup of the 2025 season will be in Week 2 with Johnson making his return to Detroit. Sadly, the league overlooked the importance of this game and didn't make it a primetime date, although it should have been.

With Johnson in the fold coaching this team, there's even more fuel to the fire for this Bears-Lions rivalry for years to come.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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