Over the last three seasons, the Detroit Lions have gotten creative with trick plays on offense. While their most infamous trick play was a pass to Dan Skipper in Week 17 of the 2023 season against the Dallas Cowboys, which was called back because Skipper didn't report as eligible, there have been many more. Last year, the Lions even had All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell throw a pass.
That said, former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, is [already searching for Bears players](dawindycity.com/ben-johnson-already-bringing-unorthodox-approach-to-bears-01jx2r9xg46d) who can run the same type of trick plays. On Thursday, Chicago had their final day of veteran minicamp, and at the end of practice, Johnson had the whole offense practicing trick plays.
Ben Johnson Already Implementing Trick Plays as Chicago Bears Head Coach
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Johnson ending mandatory minicamp testing out which Bears players are viable options for trick plays shouldn't surprise Lions fans. As mentioned above, Johnson became known for running trick plays while in Detroit. However, what should interest Lions fans is which Bears players impressed Johnson.
Right tackle Darnell Wright is right at the top of that list. Wright came away with a nice spinning one-handed grab. When Johnson was asked if he saw the one-handed grab in his post-practice press conference, he said, " Oh, I did."
Another player who reportedly had a nice trick play was tight end Cole Kmet. Kmet, a former pitcher and quarterback, threw a nice left-handed pass, according to Adam Hoge of CHGO. Implementing the tight end into trick plays is new for Johnson. During his time in Detroit, the Lions never saw a tight end throw a pass in a game.
That said, Lions fans being upset with Johnson for implementing trick plays in his new offense is completely fair. The trick plays Detroit has run over the past three years has been unique to them, and now seeing him take that same style to a division rival hurts.
Of course, Detroit still enters the 2025 season as a legitimate contender and is expected to maintain an edge over Chicago. But if Johnson finds the right weapons in Chicago to mirror the unpredictability he unleashed in Detroit, Lions fans may not be laughing when these teams meet in Week 2.
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