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Leave it to a Chicago Bears legend to stir the pot right before the season kicks off. Devin Hester, one of the greatest returners in NFL history, took a not-so-subtle shot at the Detroit Lions during a recent appearance on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams.
His bold claim? The Lions are about to tumble to the bottom of the NFC North standings.
Hester’s Argument: No Johnson, No Offense
Hester’s take centered around Detroit’s offensive identity the past three years.
“I’m telling you with the OC change, Detroit over the last three years was known for their offense if we really want to be honest,” Hester said. “If you take away their 28 points per game average, they lose a lot of games… I don’t see that offense keeping that defense off the field that much now.”
Of course, the “OC change” he’s referring to is Ben Johnson leaving to become the Bears’ head coach, with John Morton now stepping in as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. In Hester’s view, without Johnson’s play-calling genius, the Lions’ high-powered attack will stall early, exposing the defense.
Why This Narrative Misses the Mark
Here’s the problem with Hester’s argument: it’s rooted in nostalgia for Chicago’s gain, not in reality.
- The Lions’ roster is still loaded. Jared Goff is coming off an outstanding season (4,629 yards, 37 TDs). Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and rookie Isaac TeSlaa give him plenty of firepower, while Sam LaPorta is already one of the best tight ends in football.
- The run game is elite. Jahmyr Gibbs scored 20 total touchdowns last year. David Montgomery gives the offense balance. Even with a shuffled interior line, Detroit can still pound the rock.
- Morton isn’t new to this. He’s not some rookie OC. Morton has worked under offensive minds like Jon Gruden and Sean Payton. He inherits a scheme that’s already been built for success, not one starting from scratch.
The Defense Is Better, Too
Another blind spot in Hester’s comments: this isn’t the same old Lions defense.
- Brian Branch made the Pro Bowl last year after moving to safety.
- Terrion Arnold enters his second season ready to leap forward after leading all rookies in coverage snaps.
- Aidan Hutchinson is back fully healthy, with Marcus Davenport on the opposite edge.
- Rookie Tyleik Williams and veteran DJ Reader give Detroit real muscle up front.
This defense doesn’t need the offense to babysit it anymore. It can stand on its own.
Respect Is Earned — and Detroit Has
The Lions aren’t a one-hit wonder. They didn’t just squeak into the playoffs last season. They went 15-2, led the NFL in scoring, and secured back-to-back NFC North titles.
To say they’ll suddenly sink to last place because Johnson left? That’s not analysis, that’s wishful thinking from a Bears legend who can’t stand watching Detroit run the division.
The Bottom Line
Devin Hester’s comments may make headlines, but the reality is this: the Lions are still the most complete team in the NFC North. Chicago may have Johnson on the sideline, but Detroit has the depth, the talent, and the continuity to keep winning.
The Bears might have landed a flashy coach, but until they prove it on the field, talk is just talk. And if history tells us anything, it’s that Hester should know better than to doubt the Lions right now.
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Don Drysdale
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