Lions and Bears Fans Counting Down to Ben Johnson's Return to Ford Field

The Detroit Lions didn't round out their season as they'd hoped, since the team was last in the NFC North, and there's a good reason for it. The team lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a head coaching gig with the Chicago Bears, and his absence hit the team like a brick as the 2025-26 season unfolded.

Now, Johnson is looking ahead to his second appearance ever at Ford Field as the head coach of the Bears. It's shaping up to be a doozie, as well.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Detroit Lions will host the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 26. In that showdown, "Ben Johnson returns to Ford Field for the second time as Bears head coach," Schultz adds in a post on X, which he sent out on Wednesday, May 13.

Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears History During the 2025-26 Season: Dan Campbell vs. Ben Johnson

The Chicago Bears took the NFC North last season, but they lost in both contests to the Detroit Lions. So, this will make for a significant rematch. It gives the Lions a chance to prove that they're worthy of topping the NFC North, and it gives Johnson the chance to finally beat the Lions in their own space.

When the Lions and Bears meet, Chicago hopes to have some help in the wide receiver position. The Bears traded DJ Moore this offseason to the Buffalo Bills, and that gave the Bears a second-round pick but left them with a hole to fill. The Bears did sign Kalif Raymond and drafted Zavion Thomas in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft, but they could still use a boost.

On Friday, Johnson was asked about the Chicago Bears' wide receiver room, and he admitted that while it was strong, it could use help. So, don't be surprised if you see Johnson beef up that lineup.

"It's a group that really complements each other," Johnson said, according to Chris Emma of The Score. "We've got a good mix of long speed, quickness, guys that may be better suited inside the numbers, a few guys that are going to be able to thrive outside the numbers."

He added, "So, I like the mix and the makeup. We're always looking to add competition."

Following the Lions beating the Bears earlier this year, Campbell praised his team. "Proud of them. That's the way to finish," he said in a postgame presser. "I really didn't expect anything different out of them just knowing the guys that we had I tell you what. But, nonetheless I'm still proud of them because it's not always the easiest thing."

The win was special, because the Lions had already been eliminated from the playoffs at that point. So, they were only playing for pride.

"You get eliminated and it's hard for some guys," Campbell added. "You're back out in the elements and with a team that's already clinched."

Campbell added, "But our guys fought, man, from the beginning even when they came back, we were up two scores, they came back, our guys didn't bat an eye and we were able to finish it out."

So, Thanksgiving 2026 is shaping up to have a memorable game between these two rival franchises. May the best team win.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM.