Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been dominant as an offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions over the last three seasons.
Johnson has frustrated defenses with his ability to call plays they weren't expecting and get his quarterbacks on the run on play action. He's not afraid of calling trick plays at any time to throw the defense off balance.
Many have considered Johnson to be the best offensive mind in the NFL right now. One coach who might agree with that assessment is Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. If there is anyone who knows from personal experience how good Johnson is against defenses, it's Flores.
The truth is in the numbers between Johnson and Flores
The X account, The Purple Persuasion, looked into the numbers between Johnson and Flores when they were both coordinators in the NFC North together. Flores has been the Vikings' defensive coordinator since 2023, so he and Johnson have faced off four times.
In those four matchups, Johnson is 4-0 against Flores as the main play caller for the Lions. The Lions' offense averaged 31 points per game. Detroit did indeed score at least 30 points in each of those games.
Since becoming the DC of the Vikings, Brian Flores is 0-4 against Ben Johnson (Lions OC) calling plays.
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 2, 2025
In those 4 games, Flores’ defense allowed 30+ PPG (Avg: 31 PPG).
We’ll see if Johnson not being on the Lions changes things, but as of now, Johnson has out-schemed Flores. pic.twitter.com/k1LCkweXTf
Flores is most likely not the only defensive coordinator who has been dominated by Johnson's offense in Detroit. In each of the last three years as the offensive coordinator in Detroit, Johnson has led a top-five offense in scoring and total offense.
Is this seen as a good omen for the Bears-Vikings showdown on Monday night? It certainly feels like it.
Johnson has been able to throw off Flores with his game planning and play calling, which has kept him a step ahead of the former Miami Dolphins head coach. In a situation where the offense could use any advantage, Johnson knows how to set his unit up for success.
Read more: Bears reveal first unofficial depth chart of 2025 prior to Vikings showdown
It may not be all fireworks, as this is the first full game Johnson and the Bears' offense are truly together, but the truth is in the pudding: Johnson has Flores' number, and it's a beautiful thing to see as a Chicago fan.