Lions will play Bears on NFL Thanksgiving game in 2026

Ben Johnson broke some Detroit Lions fans hearts when he left for the division rival Chicago Bears. Now, he'll try and spoil their Thanksgiving.

The Lions will host Johnson and the Bears in their annual Thanksgiving game Nov. 26 at Ford Field, according to The Schultz Report on Wednesday.

Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator in 2022-24, lead the Bears to an NFC North title in his first season as coach last fall but went 0-2 against the Lions.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, right, shakes hands with Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson after 52-21 win over the Bears at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025.

The Lions beat the Bears at Ford Field in Week 2 last season, 52-21, and edged Chicago in the season finale, 19-16.

The Bears finished 11-6 and reached the divisional round of the playoffs, while the Lions went 9-8 and missed the postseason.

Asked about his relationship with Johnson at the NFL's annual meeting in March, Lions coach Dan Campbell said he has "a lot of respect for Ben."

"It's a good relationship," Campbell said. "Our families were around each other, his kids, his wife, him. I mean, when you’re with somebody as long as I was with Ben, you’re going to have a relationship. Now, when we play each other we want to beat the crap out of each other, that’s the nature of the business. But that doesn’t mean he’s not a friend, man, and I don’t care for him and want to help him as long as it doesn’t hurt us, and I’m sure he’d tell you the same thing."