In a season defined by their relentless pursuit of excellence, the Detroit Lions have once again showcased their penchant for the unconventional. During their resounding 34-17 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, the Lions unveiled a trick play that left spectators scratching their heads and opponents grasping at straws. Dubbed the “stumble bum” by the coaching staff, this ingenious maneuver has catapulted the Lions into the spotlight as they continue their march towards postseason glory.
The Mastermind Behind the Magic
The architect of this gridiron sleight of hand is none other than Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Known for his creative play designs and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses, Johnson approached veteran quarterback Jared Goff with an unusual request in the days leading up to the Bears matchup.
Goff recounted the exchange, saying, “It started on Monday with Ben asking me ‘if he thought I could actually fumble on purpose and pick it back up?’ and I was like, ‘I don’t know about that’ and we kind of got off that pretty quickly.'” Little did anyone know that this seemingly outlandish idea would soon become a game-changing reality.
Execution to Perfection
As the Lions took the field in the third quarter, leading 27-14, the stage was set for Johnson’s master plan to unfold. Goff took the snap and, in a moment of calculated chaos, appeared to botch the exchange with running back Jahmyr Gibbs. As the ball tumbled to the turf, the Bears defense converged, eager to pounce on the apparent mistake.
However, the stumble was all part of the act. Gibbs scooped up the ball and promptly delivered a strike to a wide-open Sam LaPorta, who waltzed into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown. The play, executed to perfection, left the Bears defense bewildered and effectively sealed the Lions’ victory.
“So, we called it before in the game, but we killed it because I guess it was a certain look,” Gibbs explained. “But then we did it again a couple of drives later. I didn’t know if it was going to work or not, but I was hoping.”
Inspiration Strikes
The genesis of the “stumble bum” can be traced back to a play Johnson witnessed during the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears matchup on September 10, 2023. In that game, Packers quarterback Jordan Love inadvertently dropped the snap before recovering the ball and completing a 37-yard pass to Luke Musgrave. The fourth-quarter heroics propelled the Packers to a 38-20 victory.
Johnson, ever the keen observer, recognized the potential in such a play and set about adapting it to fit the Lions’ offensive scheme. The result was a masterful deception that left even Goff initially skeptical.
“The genesis was that’s a good play for that scheme,” Goff remarked. “It is, but they’re in tune with it on defense that, that is a good play and it’s hard to get that on them because those linebackers are so dang good at seeing it develop.”
Practice Makes Perfect
The Lions’ dedication to perfecting the “stumble bum” was evident in their preparation leading up to the Bears game. Goff revealed that they had worked on the play at least three to four times during practice, ensuring that every member of the offense was in sync.
Running back Craig Reynolds shed light on the sideline’s involvement, noting that everyone yelled “BALL!” when Goff and Gibbs executed the fake fumble. The attention to detail and commitment to selling the deception were crucial to the play’s success.
A Bright Future Ahead
As the Lions continue to make waves in the NFL, the creativity and ingenuity displayed by Ben Johnson and his offensive unit have become a hallmark of their success. With a franchise record 493 points scored this season and an offense that consistently racks up over 400 yards of total offense, the Lions have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
While Johnson remains focused on leading the Lions to a Super Bowl under head coach Dan Campbell, his innovative play-calling and ability to develop talent have not gone unnoticed. As the offseason approaches, Johnson is expected to be a highly sought-after head coaching candidate, with his name already linked to the Chicago Bears’ vacancy.
Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain: the Detroit Lions have embraced a culture of creativity and fearlessness on the gridiron. With trick plays like the “stumble bum” in their arsenal, opposing defenses will have to remain on high alert whenever they face this resurgent franchise. As Gibbs aptly put it, “The stuff he comes up with every game is crazy. You don’t see really stuff like that only if you’re in college.”
The Detroit Lions’ journey is far from over, but with each passing week, they continue to showcase their ability to innovate, adapt, and excel. As they set their sights on the postseason and beyond, fans can only imagine what other tricks Johnson and his offensive masterminds have up their sleeves. One thing is for sure: the Lions are no longer content with being an afterthought in the NFL landscape. They are here to make a statement, one unconventional play at a time.
