Detroit Lions Face Major Coaching Staff Overhaul Ahead of 2025-26 Season
Significant Changes in the Coaching Staff The Detroit Lions will have a dramatically different coaching staff when the 2025-26 season kicks off, as they have undergone a significant overhaul. Both coordinators, Ben Johnson (offense) and Aaron Glenn (defense), have accepted head coaching positions, marking a major shift in leadership. Additionally, former tight ends coach Steve Heiden has moved on to become the offensive line coach for the New York Jets.
Despite these substantial changes, star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown remains confident in the team’s resilience.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Optimistic Outlook St. Brown, who has been a cornerstone of Detroit’s offense, is unfazed by the coaching departures. In a conversation with NBC Sports, he reassured fans and teammates alike.
“We’ll be all right, though,” St. Brown stated. “Players make plays, right?”
His confidence stems from his own performance throughout the 2024 season. St. Brown put up stellar numbers, catching 115 passes for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns. His efforts placed him second in receptions, fifth in total yards, and third in touchdown catches across the entire NFL.
Even in the Lions’ disappointing 45-31 divisional-round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, St. Brown delivered an impressive performance, recording eight receptions for 137 yards. As he enters his fifth NFL season in 2025, he has already established himself as one of the league’s most consistent wide receivers, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards every season except for his rookie year in 2021 (912 yards).
Reaction to the Departure of Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El Another key coaching departure affecting the Lions is wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, who has joined Ben Johnson’s staff with the Chicago Bears as the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach. St. Brown expressed his happiness for his former mentor, acknowledging the opportunity was a step up for Randle El.
“I’m happy for him,” St. Brown said. “We have a group chat with all the wide receivers and Coach in it. I was just thinking about it—Antwaan Randle El is from Chicago. So, I thought maybe he’s going to go with them. I sent a message in the group chat: ‘L [Randle El], aren’t you from Chicago? You following Ben?’ I sent that at 6:17 p.m. Two minutes later, I get a call from him asking if it’s been leaked. I said no, I was just messing around. Then he told me he was leaving to become assistant head coach and wide receivers coach. So, it’s a step up, and it’s Chicago, so I got to take that.”
The Legacy of Randle El’s Coaching St. Brown’s growth into one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers can be credited in part to Randle El’s coaching. Under his guidance, St. Brown developed into a top-tier playmaker, cementing his place as one of the most reliable targets in the league. While his departure will be felt, St. Brown and the Lions will look to continue their offensive dominance with a new coaching staff in place.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, Detroit will be navigating these transitions, but with strong player leadership and a resilient team culture, they remain optimistic about their future success.
