Johnson’s departure to the Bears after the 2023 season left Detroit searching for stability on offense, with John Morton’s play-calling duties being stripped partway through the year and eventually leading to his dismissal. The Lions subsequently hired Drew Petzing to fill the vacancy, aiming to restore offensive continuity as Detroit strives for a stronger 2024 campaign.
Meanwhile, Chicago leveraged its own coaching changes, including Johnson’s move to the Bears, who then earned a playoff berth and a wild-card upset of the Green Bay Packers before losing to the Rams. The question for Detroit remains whether Johnson would be an attractive option to pursue if the Lions ever considered parting ways with him to manage the salary cap.
The discussable route for Detroit involves Decker, a 10-year veteran, who acknowledged post-season consideration of retirement amid persistent injuries and mental strain. Reports have floated the possibility of releasing Decker to clear significant cap space, with ESPN and others noting the potential impact on Detroit’s 2025 rankings and pass/run-block efficiency if he remains in the lineup.
Regardless of Decker’s retirement decision, rebuilding the offensive line remains a priority for Lions general manager Brad Holmes. The team must weigh the potential savings of cutting Decker against the need for a reliable blind side protector as it eyes a more competitive 2024 season. This ongoing cap and personnel dialogue reflects a broader strategy to stabilize Detroit’s offense while navigating coaching shifts and potential external interest in Johnson’ s services.
