Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown acknowledges Detroit’s offensive “fight” with new OC
After finishing 15-2 in 2024, the Lions’ coaching staff poached during the offseason. They lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
For 2025, the absence of Ben Johnson in Detroit is a huge change for the team. To replace Johnson, the Lions hired John Morton as their next offensive coordinator. He serves as a senior offensive assistant in Detroit in 2022. All-Pro WR Amon-Ra St. Brown acknowledged that the team “struggling” with the new OC admitted. However, he thinks “it’s just a matter of time” before the offense starts clicking.
Will the Lions take a step back in 2025 without Ben Johnson?
The Lions will have some offensive “struggle” under the new OC, but “it’s just a matter of time” pic.twitter.com/bngclvpil1
– Around the NFL (@aroundthenfl) August 14, 2025
In 2024, the Lions’ offense averaged 33.1 points per game, making it the best in the NFL. This is Ben Johnson’s third season as offensive coordinator, who thrives with the Lions. With Detroit’s success, Johnson gave a head coach interview in the league. Eventually, he was hired by Detroit’s NFC Northern rival Chicago Bears. To replace Johnson, the Lions hired a former coaching staff member.
John Morton was the pass game coordinator for the Broncos last season. In 2022, he served as a senior offensive assistant under Ben Johnson. The plan to run in Detroit this season will not be Johnson’s plan last season. However, Morton does have the same skill position participants.
#Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is unstoppable in joint practice today #dolphins defense.
– Ari Meirov (@mysportsupdate) August 13, 2025
This includes back-to-back first-team All-Pro Trials Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown dominated in a shared practice with the Dolphins on Wednesday. After practice, Detroit star WR talked to reporters. He admitted that the offensive “struggle”. St. Brown believes that this is normal for a team that has a new offense and coaching the system.
“It’s just a matter of time,” he said, until the offense starts to fire. Another huge loss for the Lions in the offseason is center Frank Ragno’s retirement. The former first-round draft pick was a firm choice on the Detroit offensive line. Analysts are skeptical about whether to meet the standard Lions game in 2025. A fair question was raised in a season to offensive doubt.
