Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson knows how energetic Ford Field can get.
The former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator spent six seasons with the organization and played a key role in the resurgence of the Lions to a back-to-back NFC North champion.
Now he’s going to be on the opposing side of the field when he brings his new-look Bears team to Detroit for his first-ever road game as a head coach on Sunday.
If it weren’t enough facing his former team and a coaching staff that knows Johnson well, the Bears’ sloppy season-opening loss revealed issues with pre-play offense after getting flagged for five procedural penalties — including four false starts — against the Minnesota Vikings.
Early movement from members of the Chicago offense cost the Bears at home and they’ll be trying to clean up their problems and move to a silent snap cadence as Johnson anticipates a crowd that will make communication on offense difficult.
“Maybe (a silent cadence) will help this week. We’re going to need to do that and we’re going to need to be really good at that because this is going to be a loud environment that we’re going to,” Johnson said during a media call on Tuesday. “This is going to be a playoff-like atmosphere. Ford Field has been something else over the last couple of years so we’re going to have to be at our best.”
Ford Field has become a feared stadium the past few seasons as coach Dan Campbell — with the help of Johnson — developed the NFL’s best offense and won 27 games over the past two seasons.
In an ESPN poll of 111 NFL players asking about the toughest places to play in the NFL last season, Chicago wide receiver DJ Moore was among the players to say Ford Field is towards the top.
“My first few years in Chicago, Detroit was quiet as (expletive),” Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney told ESPN. “But last year we went out there, and the first drive, I said, ‘Yo, I’ve never heard that.’
“I couldn’t even hear our quarterback talking. It was loud. I was like, ‘Damn, this is lit. But I can’t hear (expletive) right now.’”
The Lions average attendance of 64,992 — out of the approximate 65,000 capacity — last season continued to earn Detroit’s home field a strong reputation around the league.
Lions fans have never been quiet about booing former players and coaches, a frequent occurrence when Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford comes back to town after 12 seasons spent with the organization.
Johnson will likely be no different as he comes back to Detroit less than a year removed from taking a coaching job with a division rival.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.