Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Detroit Lions’ star receiver, faces a new challenge in the 2025 season: facing his former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, twice a year. Johnson, instrumental in transforming the Lions into an offensive powerhouse in 2024, accepted the head coaching position with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, a move that has added a layer of personal intrigue to the already heated divisional rivalry. St. Brown, speaking candidly on his podcast with his brother Equanimeous, shared a playful exchange with Johnson after the coaching change, promising to “f— him up” twice a year, a sentiment reciprocated by Johnson himself. Their banter, while lighthearted, underscores the competitive spirit and mutual respect that defines their relationship. St. Brown’s familiarity with Johnson’s play-calling tendencies and offensive schemes, honed through their time together in Detroit, adds another dimension to their upcoming clashes. While acknowledging Johnson’s strengths, St. Brown exudes confidence in his ability to decipher and counter his former mentor’s strategies. The twice-yearly matchups promise to be a fascinating test of wits and a compelling storyline within the NFC North.
The departure of Johnson, coupled with the exit of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets, represents a significant shift for the Lions. Johnson’s innovative play-calling was crucial to the Lions’ offensive success in 2024, a season that saw them lead the league in points per game. His ability to maximize the talents of St. Brown and other offensive weapons contributed significantly to the team’s resurgence. Now, he takes on the task of revitalizing the Bears’ offense, centered around the highly touted 2024 No. 1 draft pick, Caleb Williams. The Lions, after a promising season that included a deep playoff run in 2023, fell short of expectations in 2024, suffering a divisional round playoff exit against the Washington Commanders. This unexpected early exit likely fueled Johnson’s decision to seek a head coaching opportunity elsewhere.
Johnson inherits a Bears team with some promising offensive pieces, including established receivers like D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. His challenge lies in integrating these veterans with the young and immensely talented Williams, creating a cohesive and potent offensive unit. St. Brown, while acknowledging Williams’ potential and sharing a connection through their shared USC background, remains confident in the Lions’ ability to compete against the Bears, having already defeated them twice in the 2024 season. The upcoming matchups between these two NFC North rivals will be closely watched, as the student and mentor test their wits against each other.
The Lions’ 2024 season, while ultimately ending in disappointment, showcased the team’s offensive firepower under Johnson’s guidance. St. Brown emerged as a key figure in this offensive surge, benefiting from Johnson’s creative play designs and ability to exploit mismatches. His podcast conversation with his brother reveals not only the close bond he shares with Johnson but also his competitive drive and determination to succeed, even against a familiar foe. This personal rivalry adds another layer of intrigue to the Lions-Bears matchups, promising high-stakes encounters with significant implications for both teams.
Beyond the individual rivalry between St. Brown and Johnson, the broader narrative of these divisional clashes carries weight. The Bears, under Johnson’s leadership and with Williams at the helm, aim to climb the NFC North ladder. The Lions, now needing to adjust to new coordinators on both sides of the ball, face the challenge of maintaining their offensive prowess while solidifying their defense. These games will be a barometer of both teams’ progress and their ability to adapt to new leadership.
The playful banter exchanged between St. Brown and Johnson highlights the human element within the highly competitive world of professional football. While their on-field battles will be fierce, their mutual respect and shared history will undoubtedly add a unique dimension to the rivalry. The NFC North, already known for its intense competition, gains another compelling storyline with these twice-yearly encounters, promising exciting football and a fascinating test of wits between a rising star and his former mentor.
