Guys like White and those that talk up Mayo can only offer classic nonsense praise devoid of any substance.
Compare that to what Detroit players say about Ben Johnson (quotes gathered by
@KCSVEN). This is what it sounds like when people are genuinely impressed by their leader. Nobody uses the word "leader" and yet everyone sounds like they're being capably led.
Lions RB Gibbs: "The stuff he comes up with every game is crazy," Gibbs said. "You don't see really stuff like that."
Lions WR Jameson Williams: “He’s a mastermind on the offensive side of the ball."
Lions RB Montgomery: "Oh yeah, he’s a genius, knows a lot, teaching me a lot,” Montgomery said. “I’ve only been here for a short period of time, but I’ve learned so much about defenses that I hadn’t known, and me being in the league for four years that I’m learning now. Really smart guy, definitely lucky to be able to be in his offense."
Lions WR Tim Patrick: “He comes up with things that you don’t really think about, but he’s also open-minded to listen to guys that have been here that have input. He finds a way to make it work. A coach that listens to his players but also puts his own touch on it, that’s hard to find."
Lions WR St. Brown-praised Johnson’s tireless work ethic and strategic mindset, stating, “I think what they don’t see is the amount of work that he puts into his craft. He’s up dissecting defenses for hours on end. Honestly, I don’t know if the man sleeps. The thing that Ben does that’s so great is he’s not trying to set up a play during a game, he’s setting it up weeks before.”
Bears QB Caleb Williams: It was fascinating to watch because he had wrinkles for counters and things like that throughout the game," Williams said of Johnson's game plan vs. the
Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night,
via The Athletic. "I think he's obviously done really well. So it would be cool to see how that all goes down."
Caleb probably making a pitch for a guy he wants as his future HC.