Ex-Lions OC Ben Johnson attempts 'stumblebum' trick play with Bears, fails miserably

Mike Moraitis

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Ex-Lions OC Ben Johnson attempts 'stumblebum' trick play with Bears, fails miserably image

David Banks-Imagn Images

Ben Johnson tried to pull out one of his old Detroit Lions tricks in the Week 4 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but it didn't go well for the Chicago Bears.

That old trick was the infamous "stumblebum" play that Johnson ran with success as the play-caller of the Lions last season.

Johnson busted it out in the Week 16 game against the Bears. The play resulted in a touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff to tight end Sam LaPorta.

Johnson tried to recreate that success on Sunday, but it didn't work out.

Quarterback Caleb Williams rolled out after the fake stumble but his pass went well over the head of his intended receiver, leading to an incomplete pass.

Whoops.

It just goes to show you that personnel matters. Williams didn't do half as good of a job selling it as Goff did.

During the Lions' 52-21 blowout victory over the Bears in Week 2, the Lions' defense poured salt on the wound by re-enacting the trick play while the team celebrated a takeaway.

Johnson also had to deal with Lions fans chanting "f*** Ben Johnson," as if his first trip back to Detroit couldn't get any worse.

Lions players weren't thrilled with that chant, but I'm not sure what they expected. Johnson left for a division rival and it's no surprise Lions fans aren't happy about it.

And you know those same fans are smiling after seeing Johnson fail at the trick play with his new team.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.