Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Detroit Lions’ star receiver, faces a new challenge in the 2025 season: confronting a familiar foe on the opposing sideline. His former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, the architect of the Lions’ high-octane offense that dominated the league in 2024, has departed for a divisional rival, the Chicago Bears. This shift sets the stage for a compelling twice-yearly clash between mentor and protégé, imbued with competitive fire yet underscored by mutual respect. The playful banter between St. Brown and Johnson, captured in St. Brown’s podcast, reveals the underlying camaraderie while hinting at the intensity of their upcoming on-field battles. St. Brown’s bold proclamation, promising to “f— up” Johnson’s Bears, was met with an equally confident retort, setting the stage for a captivating rivalry within the NFC North.
The departure of Johnson, coupled with the exit of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets, marks a significant turning point for the Lions. Johnson’s innovative play-calling was instrumental in transforming the Lions into an offensive juggernaut. His ability to scheme plays that maximized St. Brown’s talents and exploited opposing defenses was a key factor in the team’s success. Now, St. Brown will have to strategize against the very mind that helped elevate his game. The familiarity between the two adds another layer of intrigue to their rivalry, with St. Brown claiming intimate knowledge of Johnson’s plays and tendencies. This insight, gained through countless hours of practice and game-day execution, could prove invaluable in the Lions’ efforts to dismantle the Bears’ offense. However, Johnson, armed with this knowledge of St. Brown’s awareness, is likely already strategizing counter-moves to keep the receiver off-balance.
The Lions’ 2024 season ended in disappointment, falling short of their Super Bowl aspirations with a divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders. This early exit, coupled with the subsequent departure of key coaching staff, has undoubtedly fueled the team’s hunger for redemption. The 2025 season takes on a new dimension of significance, not just as a quest for championship glory but also as an opportunity for St. Brown and the Lions to prove their mettle against their former coordinator. The sting of the playoff loss serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved and the need for constant evolution and adaptation in the fiercely competitive NFL landscape.
Johnson’s arrival in Chicago injects a fresh wave of optimism into the Bears’ organization. He inherits the coveted first overall pick of the 2024 draft, Caleb Williams, a highly touted quarterback prospect expected to revitalize the Bears’ offense. The combination of Johnson’s offensive ingenuity and Williams’ raw talent presents a formidable challenge for opposing defenses, including the Lions. Further bolstering the Bears’ offensive arsenal are established playmakers like D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, providing Williams with reliable targets and adding depth to the receiving corps. This blend of young potential and veteran experience creates a dynamic and unpredictable offense, one that Johnson will undoubtedly seek to exploit against his former team.
St. Brown, while acknowledging Williams’ talent and sharing a USC connection, remains confident in the Lions’ ability to overcome the Bears. The Lions secured victories in both their matchups against the Bears in the 2024 season, providing a psychological edge and demonstrating their capability to outmaneuver Johnson’s schemes. However, the dynamics will shift significantly in 2025 with Williams at the helm and Johnson having a full offseason to implement his offensive vision. These upcoming clashes between the Lions and Bears promise to be high-stakes encounters, filled with strategic maneuvering and personal narratives, further intensifying the divisional rivalry.
The stage is set for a captivating showdown between St. Brown’s Lions and Johnson’s Bears. The personal connection between player and former coach adds a unique layer of intrigue to these divisional matchups, transforming them into must-see events. The playful trash talk, while indicative of the mutual respect between St. Brown and Johnson, masks the underlying competitive fire that will undoubtedly ignite on the field. The 2025 season promises to be a defining chapter in the careers of both individuals and a testament to the enduring power of mentorship and rivalry in the NFL. Each game between these two teams will be a chess match, with Johnson attempting to exploit the Lions’ defense while St. Brown strives to decipher his former mentor’s strategies and lead his team to victory. The outcomes of these contests will not only shape the NFC North landscape but also add another layer to the evolving narrative surrounding St. Brown and Johnson.
