Ben Johnson’s Creativity Strikes Again

In recent seasons, Ben Johnson has emerged as one of the most innovative offensive strategists in the sport. He is highly sought after, juggling a Super Bowl run while considering new contract offers. His status as a hot coaching commodity stems from his exceptional ability to devise trick plays. Yet on Sunday afternoon, Johnson struck again against the Bears in their home stadium.

In the third quarter, the Lions showcased their cleverly-crafted trick play. Jared Goff feigned a stumble during his drop back. As Detroit players shouted "Fumble!,” Jahmyr Gibbs acted as if he was diving for the ball. Goff then passed to Sam LaPorta for a 21-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 34-14.

The genius behind this trick play lies within the history where Johnson found his inspiration. In Week One of the 2023 season, Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love dropped the snap, regained control of the ball, and connected with tight end Luke Musgrave, who was wide open down the left sideline, for a significant gain. This accidental success by Green Bay occurred against the Chicago Bears. Johnson integrated the moment into his playbook, turning the accident into an intentional play against the very same team – the Bears – who fell for it once again.