The Detroit Lions had one of the best offenses in the NFL last season and are poised for more of the same in 2024 with Ben Johnson returning as coordinator and all of the core players back on that side of the ball.
Johnson spoke to the media for the first time since training camp began last week. Here are my five biggest takeaways from that media session:
1. Wide receiver Jameson Williams has looked much more comfortable to begin his third training camp and has been an early playmaker in practice. He's certainly picked up where he left off last season.
"Yeah, we started feeling it towards the end of last year and he's taken that to another level in the springtime and so far here in training camp," Johnson said. "He prides himself on bringing some juice to the offense and we certainly feel it out there both in the passing game, making explosive plays, but he also wants to be a dynamic blocker as well, which we really value."
The Lions have locked Williams into a couple of spots at receiver and they've seen his route tree grow.
"I haven't seen anything that he can't do so it's been fun," Johnson said.
2. It was well documented the historic rookie season Sam LaPorta had last year and there's a lot of excitement for what he might be able to do in Year 2.
Johnson is a former tight ends coach and has a bit of an affinity for the position. He believes the six tight ends on the current training camp roster are the best group the Lions have had since he's been here. It should make the competition for the No. 3 and potentially No. 4 roster spots really tough.
"Yeah, listen it's the best room that I've been around in 13 years now from top to bottom, one to six," Johnson said. "These guys, they've all played ball in this league, and you can tell it with their approach and really how they block, how they run routes out on the field, it's been very impressive. So, that room, the competition is lights out right now."
The final spot(s) on the roster could really come down to the person Johnson feels has the most versatility to fill in for LaPorta or Brock Wright if needed, and also provide Dave Fipp something on special teams.
"We need a smart player that can wear multiple hats," Johnson said of the backup roles at tight end. "It's a bonus if we can get some backfield work, if he can do some fullback-type jobs, or if he can split out wide, the more you can do increases your value right there."
3. The run game is still very much a work in progress during the first couple weeks of camp. That part of the offense has been mostly bottled up by a Lions' defense that ranked No. 2 against the run last season and got better this offseason. Johnson has been really impressed with the defense so far.
"Yeah, shoot I think our defensive front's going to be pretty darn good is what I think," he said. "It's probably, after two days, we've had more run stuff than what we have had in the past few training camps. So, we're going to continue to push the limit.
"When we look at it from the offensive perspective, we're very close to generating some big ones, but we haven't put it together yet, that's the easy thing to say. It's going to take a little but more time on task for us to make sure that we're all on the same page."
Johnson talked about their combination blocks in the run game needing to be a little better moving forward and also being better at the second and third levels. It's stuff Johnson doesn't seem too worried about and has seen before at this point in camp.
4. How is quarterback Hendon Hooker's development coming along?
"Yeah, listen we've taken the approach, we're coaching him hard, which means we're throwing a lot on him and when he makes a mistake, we're letting him know about it and that's what we believe in," Johnson said.
"That's what we believe in because if he can handle that, then once he gets to these preseason games, it's going to be a cinch for him. He's really going to click, and I really think he's going to flourish because of that so he's feeling it, he felt it a lot in the springtime."
Hooker spent a lot of time during the six weeks from the end of minicamp to the start of training camp learning to call the plays and getting in and out of the huddle, the procedure of it, and that's been something that's stood out to Johnson.
"He's been a lot more accurate here in training camp, you've seen him on the move a little bit more. I think once we get into games, we'll see his legs really be a benefit for us," he said. "So, I'm pleased with the growth he had from the springtime here to camp and we'll continue to see how far we can push him here over the next few weeks."
View photos from Day 8 of Detroit Lions training camp on Thursday August 1, 2024.
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34), Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15), Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88), Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36), Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51), Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48), Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84), Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19), Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29), Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) ,Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82), Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9), Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman David Bada (61) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
5. There's really good competition right now for the final couple roster spots at wide receiver. What could separate someone from the bunch?
"We need smart, we need reliable, OK? And if we had to be picky, we want a little bit of length, just so it rounds out those three guys that we're anticipating entering the season with," Johnson said.
Daurice Fountain, Antoine Green and Donovan Peoples-Jones are all competing for the job and all measure in at 6-foot-2, which is the tallest in the room, and all three were mentioned by Johnson as being in the mix.
"The competition is healthy, those are a few names," he said. "But everyone is in it at this point."
