Lions TE Sam LaPorta on Ben Johnson leaving for Bears: 'It hurts'
The Detroit Lions drafted the tight end in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft partly because of then-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson's impact.
Johnson is now set to call the Windy City home in 2025 after being hired as the head coach of the NFC North rival Chicago Bears.
During an appearance on the "Up & Adams" show on Wednesday at the NFLPA Classic golf tournament in Mexico, LaPorta spoke with Kay Adams about his feelings surrounding the move, joking that Johnson will be a friend-turned-enemy.
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"Of course, happy for Ben," LaPorta said. "He was one of the big reasons they brought me into the Lions. Nothing but respect for him, but again, on Sunday afternoons this fall, there will be friends turned to enemies."
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The tight end added that the move hurt, but ultimately he is happy for his former coach.
"It hurts, of course," LaPorta said. "You spend a lot of time with these people, invest a lot of energy and effort and hard work together. You know it's mutual, you're excited that he's gonna run his own team and organization and have a lot on his plate. So, just very exciting times for him, and it is exciting times for us too as we turn towards our new staff and have a bright future as well."
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While the attention is focused on what the Lions lost, not much has been paid to the guy set to take over, John Morton. He spent the 2022 season with Detroit as a senior offensive assistant, but LaPorta didn't arrive until after the coach's departure.
The tight end hasn't spoken to Morton at length but is eager to see how he operates when OTAs begin.
"I've sat down with Johnny Mo for maybe 10 or 15 minutes, gotten to know him personally," LaPorta said. "But as a coach, it's yet to be determined. We have a great future in front of us, we're excited to work with each other, and I can't wait to get working with him here in OTAs here shortly."
Johnson is set to find out if the grass is greener on the other side. LaPorta and the Lions will soon learn if Johnson is the one who got away.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sam LaPorta comments on Ben Johnson leaving for Bears HC job
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