Rumor: Ben Johnson may replace Dan Campbell; Bears eye Lions coach as top hire.

Offseason chatter in the NFC North centers on a potential Bears hire that would be both dramatic and signaling a new dynamic: Bears head coach Ben Johnson, a former Detroit assistant, is being linked to Lions staffer Scottie Montgomery as a possible replacement for Declan Doyle, the Lions’ former offensive coordinator who left for the Ravens. The move would mark a high-profile cross-team recruitment within the division and could reshape leverage between the Bears and Lions.

The Bears and Lions met twice in the 2025-26 season, with Detroit winning both meetings. A 52-21 blowout on September 14, 2025, was followed by a 19-16 victory on January 4, 2026. Despite the late-season win, Detroit did not secure a playoff berth that year, leaving Chicago with bragging rights in the short term.

In the immediate aftermath of the January 4 loss, Bears coach Ben Johnson was candid about his offense. “I was not pleased with the offense today,” he said. “We can’t dig ourselves in a hole like that. I was disappointed with the offense as a whole. And we’ll be better for it.” He also noted the need to review tape and improve execution, adding, “That’s one we’ll have to take a look at the tape and figure out why that was. I didn’t feel like it was one of our more elaborate plans. We need to do a better job of executing it and coaching it up.”

Meanwhile, the Lions moved to strengthen their own roster by signing former Bears tight end Thomas Gordon to a reserve/future contract on January 29, 2026. Gordon spent the 2025-26 rookie year with Chicago, signed in August 2025, did not make the 53-man roster, joined the practice squad in December, and was not extended on a futures deal after the season.

On the staff-front, Candace Pedraza of SideLion Report argued that Montgomery could be a prime target for Chicago. The piece notes Montgomery’s role with Detroit as the Lions’ wide receivers coach and assistant head coach after losing offensive coordinator Doyle, suggesting Johnson could poach Montgomery to lead Chicago’s offense. The report also highlights the potential implications for Detroit if Montgomery departs, including how it might affect their plans to keep running back David Montgomery, who had signaled dissatisfaction with his role.

If Johnson were able to lure Montgomery to Chicago, it would represent a significant coaching reshuffle and a bold statement in the ongoing Bears-Lions rivalry. The development would add a new layer to the NFC North’s balance of power as the teams navigate the offseason ahead of the 2026 season.