Lions’ Campbell reacts to what Bears’ Johnson said about Goff

Ever since Ben Johnson stopped serving as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions to become head coach of the Chicago Bears in January 2025, he has taken multiple playful shots at Lions quarterback Jared Goff and noted that he “has a little history with calling plays with someone not so mobile.” 

Goff recently made it known that he and Johnson are “good” and aren’t actually involved in any feud. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered a response to Johnson.

Jared Goff is the perfect quarterback for the Lions offense

“Goff’s game is cerebral,” Campbell said, per Richard Silva of The Detroit News. “…He can see, he’s got a big arm and he’s an accurate passer, and he plays the game here (with his head). So, to be able to get us in the right call, turn the protections, alter some of what we’re doing in the pass game, what routes we’re calling, what I’m doing, what’s the look — that’s his game, and he’s damn good at it. … We run the offense we run, and we’re very good at it because of Jared Goff.”

Goff became a 2024 MVP Award finalist while working with Johnson, but the 2025 Lions then missed the playoffs and finished that season with a record of 9-8. Detroit opened the ongoing campaign with two wins in three games, and ESPN stats show that Goff began Thursday ranked 12th in the league among qualified passers with a 67.6 adjusted QBR for the season. Over the campaign’s first three weeks, he tossed eight touchdown passes and zero interceptions. 

Dan Campbell appreciates this about Jared Goff

Goff hasn’t missed a meaningful start for the Lions since Week 1 of the 2022 season. On Wednesday, Campbell spoke about the importance of knowing his QB1 has consistently been available to him over the years. 

“He’s durable, he’s tough, he’s resistant, resilient. And he’s been that way. He’s really been that way his whole career,” Campbell added about Goff, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “And I know there have been some of these, and doesn’t mean that things won’t come up, but there is. And look, he plays through things too now. That’s the other thing, and I guess that plays into the toughness. There are things that he gets that people don’t even know about that he goes out there and plays, and he’s good. But I mean, during the week, it’s not like he feels good. But he doesn’t complain about it. He doesn’t miss practice. He’s going to be out there because he’s our captain. He’s our leader. And he knows that for him, it’s an accountability thing. ‘Well, if I say that something hurts a little bit and I don’t go out there to practice, well then I can’t say anything to the next guy that’s got a little bump and bruise.’ So, it says a lot, it means a lot.”

The Bears and Lions won’t face each other this season until Detroit hosts Chicago for a Thanksgiving Day showdown in Week 12 on Nov. 26. If nothing else, Goff and Johnson should provide fans with some entertaining soundbites during that holiday week.