Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell lost his top two assistant coaches this offseason, and he looked like he could have used them during Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Lions were dominated 27-13 by the Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc. Detroit made the game look closer than it actually was by scoring their first touchdown of the game on a meaningless drive with less than a minute remaining.
The Lions led the NFL with 33.2 points per game last season. Their offense was one of the most explosive in the NFL for years under former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears this offseason. Detroit’s defense was also a top-10 unit under coordinator Aaron Glenn, who is now the head coach of the New York Jets.
One game means very little, but fans are already wondering if Campbell and the Lions will take a step back without Johnson and Glenn. Campbell became the subject of some ruthless memes during the loss to Green Bay.
Dan Campbell if not for Ben Johnson and Aaron Glen pic.twitter.com/9ItXr4jV0J
— GI (@GIsaac47) September 7, 2025
Dan Campbell if Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn didn’t exist pic.twitter.com/CwOUYljgr1
— Dashy2™️🦥 (@Dashytwo) September 7, 2025
Dan Campbell without elite coordinators pic.twitter.com/xpXgoZab5A
— KSG #RecklesslyWetBoySummer (@KSG_SKOL) September 7, 2025
Dan Campbell without Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn pic.twitter.com/EJDLs9Dihw
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 7, 2025
Dan Campbell without Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn pic.twitter.com/Ofij5mdj7q
— Momo (@_momopilled_) September 7, 2025
Dan Campbell on the sidelines praying that Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn get fired and come save him. pic.twitter.com/QHhfwk3KJA
— The Brohioan (@TheBrohioan) September 7, 2025
DAN CAMPBELL WITHOUT BEN JOHNSON. pic.twitter.com/uCHaH7t494
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 7, 2025
An adjustment period for the Lions without their two top assistant coaches was inevitable. Detroit also had an extremely tough test to begin the season, as the Packers are a legitimate contender. There is no way to draw conclusions after just one game, but fans have never cared about that.
The Lions will look to bounce back when they host Johnson’s Bears in Week 2. Campbell will face even more criticism if he can’t beat his former assistant.
The last time Campbell got the meme treatment, it was for a much more flattering reason.
