Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has already weighed in on the team's impending offensive coordinator hire, offering a glimpse into the organization's internal discussions while delivering a pointed message to skeptical supporters. During his weekly podcast appearance alongside his brother, the Pro Bowl pass-catcher shared details about the Drew Petzing acquisition, quarterback Jared Goff's perspective, and his initial dialogue with the new play-caller.
The anticipation surrounding Detroit's offensive coordinator search reached a fever pitch this weekend, prompting St. Brown to seek information from a trusted source within the organization. Rather than waiting for official announcements, the receiver turned to his quarterback for insider knowledge about the direction the franchise was heading.
According to St. Brown, Goff's assessment of Petzing was concise but encouraging. The veteran quarterback described the former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator as both competent and intelligent, acknowledging that while the Vikings' offensive production may not have been elite, the underlying concepts and strategies were sound. This qualified endorsement from Goff, who has worked under multiple offensive systems throughout his career, carried significant weight with St. Brown.
The connection between Petzing and the Lions organization runs deeper than a simple coaching hire. St. Brown's research revealed an intriguing link to his former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, who recently departed for the Carolina Panthers head coaching position. The two coaches share a history dating back to their time at Boston College, where they were colleagues on the coaching staff. The relationship extends beyond professional camaraderie—Petzing served as a groomsman in Johnson's wedding, a detail St. Brown found particularly noteworthy.
This personal connection suggests a philosophical alignment that could ease the transition for Detroit's offensive personnel. While Johnson's innovative schemes and aggressive play-calling were instrumental in the Lions' recent success, Petzing's familiarity with his predecessor's approach may help maintain continuity in the offensive system that has made Detroit one of the league's most potent scoring units.
The official confirmation came directly from the top of the organization. Head coach Dan Campbell personally reached out to St. Brown via text message to announce the decision, demonstrating the leadership's commitment to keeping core players informed throughout the process. Campbell's message was unequivocal in its optimism: he expressed confidence that Petzing would be an excellent fit for the team and contribute significantly to their continued success.
The direct communication from Campbell to his star receiver underscores the collaborative culture that has become a hallmark of the Lions organization. Rather than learning about the hire through media reports, St. Brown received the news straight from his head coach, reinforcing the trust and transparency that has helped build Detroit into a championship contender.
St. Brown's first personal interaction with Petzing occurred earlier this week when the new offensive coordinator initiated a phone call. The conversation struck a balance between personal introduction and football discussion, allowing both parties to begin building their working relationship. St. Brown characterized the exchange as primarily introductory, with Petzing expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity and the receiver reciprocating that excitement.
The dialogue, while brief, established an important foundation for their future collaboration. St. Brown appreciated Petzing's proactive approach in reaching out directly, viewing it as a positive first step in their professional relationship. The receiver's response—"I'm excited, too. Let's get to work"—reflects his readiness to embrace the new leadership and continue building on the team's recent achievements.
However, between receiving Campbell's text and speaking with Petzing directly, St. Brown encountered a wave of negative reactions from segments of the Lions fanbase. Social media platforms and fan forums were filled with criticism and skepticism about the hire, with some questioning the organization's decision-making process. The receiver, who has become a vocal leader both on and off the field, did not hesitate to address these concerns directly.
St. Brown's response to the critics was characteristically blunt and passionate. He challenged the notion that the Lions' front office would make a hasty or uninformed decision, pointing to the organization's recent track record of success as evidence of their competence. The receiver questioned whether fans truly believed that Campbell and the decision-makers would simply select a candidate at random without thorough vetting and consideration.
His message emphasized the disconnect between the organization's internal evaluation process and external fan opinions. St. Brown suggested that many critics lack the football knowledge necessary to properly assess coaching candidates, yet feel emboldened to voice strong opinions based on limited information. The receiver found this dynamic both frustrating and somewhat amusing, noting the irony of fans questioning decisions made by professionals with decades of combined experience.
The Pro Bowl receiver's defense of the organization reflects the strong culture of trust and accountability that has been cultivated within the Lions locker room. St. Brown's public backing of Petzing, even before the hire was officially announced, demonstrates the confidence players have in the front office's ability to identify and acquire talent. This alignment between players and management has been crucial to Detroit's transformation from perennial underachiever to legitimate Super Bowl contender.
St. Brown's comments also highlight the challenges modern athletes face in navigating the constant scrutiny of social media. While fans have always had opinions about team decisions, the immediacy and amplification of digital platforms create an environment where criticism can spread rapidly and influence public perception. By pushing back against this negativity, St. Brown is not only defending his team but also attempting to shape a more informed and patient discourse around the organization's moves.
The receiver's strong stance serves as a reminder that the Lions' recent success has been built on a foundation of trust—trust between players and coaches, trust between the front office and its personnel, and trust in the process that has yielded tangible results. St. Brown's message to fans is essentially an invitation to share in that trust, to believe in the vision that has already produced two consecutive NFC North titles and deep playoff runs.
As Detroit prepares for the 2025 season, the integration of Petzing into the offensive system will be a critical storyline to follow. The continuity provided by his connection to Johnson, combined with his own offensive philosophy developed through years of coaching experience, could help the Lions maintain their status as one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses. St. Brown's early endorsement suggests that the players are ready to embrace this new chapter, regardless of external skepticism.
The situation also underscores the evolving role of star players in franchise decision-making. St. Brown's involvement in the information loop—receiving updates from both his quarterback and head coach—illustrates how organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of keeping their core contributors informed and engaged. This approach not only builds goodwill but also ensures that key personnel are mentally and emotionally prepared for transitions in leadership.
Ultimately, St. Brown's message to critics is one of patience and faith. He is asking fans to trust the process that has already delivered unprecedented success for the franchise, to believe that the same decision-makers who built a championship-caliber roster can identify the right person to lead the offense. His willingness to publicly defend the hire, even before official confirmation, demonstrates the leadership qualities that have made him a cornerstone of the Lions organization both on and off the field.
As the Lions move forward with Petzing at the helm of their offense, the support of key players like St. Brown will be invaluable. His endorsement carries weight not only with fans but also within the locker room, where his work ethic and football intelligence are widely respected. The receiver's early buy-in suggests that the transition may be smoother than some observers anticipate, and that Detroit's offensive excellence could continue uninterrupted.
The coming months will reveal how Petzing's vision aligns with the established talent on the Lions roster, but one thing is already clear: the team's star receiver is fully on board, and he has little patience for those who doubt the organization's direction. In St. Brown's view, the Lions have earned the benefit of the doubt, and it's time for the fanbase to recognize and respect the competence of their leadership.