The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, typically a stage for draft prospects to shine, turned into a battleground this week when Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s comments about his new quarterback, Caleb Williams, ignited a firestorm of outrage from the Detroit Lions. Johnson, who left Detroit after three seasons as the Lions’ offensive coordinator to take the Bears’ head coaching job, appeared to throw shade at both Jared Goff and the Lions’ defense during his Tuesday press conference, sparking a viral response from defenders Kerby Joseph and Amik Robertson. As the NFL offseason heats up, this perceived slight has supercharged Detroit’s rivalry with Chicago, setting the stage for an explosive 2025 NFC North showdown that’s already trending on X.

The Lions are navigating a seismic coaching overhaul after losing Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn—who joined the New York Jets—leaving head coach Dan Campbell to rebuild his staff for a Super Bowl push. But Johnson’s remarks at the Combine, meant to hype Williams, the No. 1 overall pick from 2024, struck a nerve. “Out of structure, the off-schedule, the creation… that’s what stands out the most because that’s really the way this league is going right now,” Johnson said, his voice bubbling with excitement. He elaborated, “The pass rush is coming down, and to have an athlete like Caleb extend the play and potentially find an explosive down the field, that’s what gets me going a little bit. I get excited thinking about that because I haven’t been around that since I’ve been in the league.”

For many, Johnson’s words sounded like a celebration of Williams’ mobile, improvisational style—a stark contrast to Jared Goff’s methodical, pocket-passing approach. But Lions fans and players heard something else: a subtle jab. Johnson doubled down, adding, “I’ve been on the other side, and I’ve experienced it. It’s demoralizing when you’re on the other side and you’re watching that happen to your defense.” To Detroit, this felt like a dig at Goff’s precision and the Lions’ defense, which led the NFC with 48 sacks in 2024 and held opponents to just 17.8 points per game. On X, fans erupted: “Ben Johnson just threw Detroit under the bus—big mistake!” and “Lions D is about to make him regret this!”

The reaction didn’t stop with fans. Lions safety Kerby Joseph, known for his hard-hitting play and sharp social media presence, took to X with a photo of Peter Griffin lurking—Peter’s wide-eyed, mischievous stare serving as a silent but scathing retort to Johnson’s comments. “Kerby’s troll game is on point—Johnson’s in trouble now,” one X user posted, while another cheered, “That’s the Lions spirit!” Cornerback Amik Robertson, never one to bite his tongue, quoted Joseph’s post and added, “Yah feel me…”—a succinct but fiery dismissal of Johnson’s perceived disrespect. The posts, shared widely with hashtags like #LionsDefense and #JohnsonSnub, have garnered millions of views, turning this Combine moment into a viral NFL feud.

It’s unlikely Johnson intended to insult his former team. His remarks were likely meant to highlight Williams’ unique skill set, especially after the rookie’s electric 2024 performances against Detroit—590 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions across two games, plus 73 rushing yards. But in the cutthroat NFC North, perception often trumps intent. For a Lions defense coming off a NFC Championship appearance, Johnson’s words feel personal, especially after they swept the Bears in 2024. “This is fuel for Detroit’s fire—wait until we face Chicago next season,” one X post predicted, with fans imagining Joseph and Robertson shutting down Williams in a revenge-fueled clash.

Detroit’s roster, bolstered by stars like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Aidan Hutchinson, doesn’t need Johnson’s validation. But his comments have given Campbell’s squad extra motivation to dominate the Bears in their 2025 matchups. On X, the rivalry narrative is gaining steam, with memes of Joseph’s Peter Griffin post, clips of the Lions’ 2024 defensive highlights, and Bears fans defending Johnson, arguing, “He’s just hyping Caleb—not dissing Detroit!” Yet, the damage is done. Detroit’s defense, already one of the NFL’s fiercest, now has a chip on its shoulder, ready to make Johnson regret his words.As the Combine continues, all eyes are on Joseph, Robertson, and the Lions. Johnson’s slip-up has transformed a routine press conference into a viral NFL showdown, setting the stage for an epic 2025 rivalry. For Detroit, this is personal—and fans can’t wait to see the fallout when the Lions and Bears collide, with X already buzzing with anticipation for the “Battle of Ben.”