3 best Ben Johnson replacements for Dan Campbell and Lions ft. Brian Griese

The Detroit Lions and Ben Johnson are going their separate ways. It's good news for Johnson as he is expected to become the new coach of the Chicago Bears; however, it's not the same for the Lions as they'll need to find their next offensive coordinator.

Finding a great OC is not as simple as finding a coaching candidate because it takes much more digging. The options are either to get a recently fired OC or attempt to poach a quality OC from another team. Good luck finding success with either.

Here's a look at three OC options for the Lions in 2025.

Best Ben Johnson replacements for Dan Campbell's Lions

#3 - Brian Griese, San Francisco 49ers QB Coach

Brian Griese at Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers - Source: Imagn

Brock Purdy wasn't quite as dominant in 2024-25 as in the past few years, but his performance this season would have dwarfed expectations coming out of the NFL draft. Brian Griese was a quarterback in the NFL for a decade, so he knows his way around an offense.

He has also been a commentator on Monday Night Football and has already spent significant time studying schemes and offenses. One can do worse than Griese.

#2 - Josh McCown, Vikings QB Coach

Josh McCown at Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers - Source: Imagn

Long-time NFL fans should recognize Josh McCown's name. Per CBS, the Minnesota Vikings QB coach is getting looks for the Jets coaching role, but a promotion to OC while poaching him from the division rival Minnesota Vikings seems like a great deal for the Lions. Additionally, the work he did with Sam Darnold this season was quite a resume-builder.

If you can't have Ben Johnson, taking a shot on McCown seems like a good option.

#1 - Tavita Prichard, Washington Commanders QB Coach

Tavita Prichard (Center) at Washington Commanders Minicamp - Source: Imagn

If you can't beat them, bring them aboard. Ben Johnson saw his 2024-25 season end partly because of the work that Tavita Prichard did with Jayden Daniels. If helping to craft one of the most successful rookie QB seasons in NFL history isn't worth a promotion, nothing is.

Plus, bolstering the Lions while taking away from a team that will be a force for years to come seems like a win-win. Despite Johnson's work, Jared Goff isn't a completed project. Perhaps adding a dash of advice from Prichard could do wonders for him as well.