Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left Monday for the divisional rival Chicago Bears, and while it's a huge bummer for Detroit to be without an offensive coordinator, star receiver Amon-Ra St. There's no way I'm going to stop competing with him.
St. Brown said: The Brown Podcast also featured his brother Equanimius, who talked with Johnson after he signed a contract with the Bears worth about $13 million a year.
“After speaking to Johnson on the phone, St. Brown laughed and said, 'Twice a year, Ben, I'm going to screw you over.'
St. Brown added that Johnson responded by saying, “I'm going to f**k you.”
The star receiver said St. Brown told his former coordinator, “Okay, let's see.'' I told him, “I know all the plays he likes.'' We were going back and forth.”
While the two had some banter, it's clear St. Brown still respects his former coordinator.
Johnson has reportedly already been building his coaching staff while the Lions remain in the playoffs, and has been criticized by many on social media, with Johnson already hiring former Saints head coach Dennis Allen to join the team. Reports have surfaced that he has been named defensive coordinator.
The Lions lost to the Commanders 45-31, opening the door for Johnson to leave.
“I know he was as focused as he could be in that game,” St. Brown said.
Johnson will now compete in what could be the toughest division in the league, with the Lions, Packers and Vikings all in the playoffs and all three teams winning by double digits.
St. Brown said the two talked during Sunday's exit press conference, and Johnson told St. Brown that he didn't know what he would do yet, but that he would decide between the Bears, Jaguars and Raiders. , he added.
Johnson is the first of two expected Lions coordinator departures, with St. Brown also saying, “Right now, Aaron Glenn is still there, but I believe he's going to be gone.” admitted that he had said that.
Glenn hasn't made a decision yet, but he has met with the Jets twice and is considered a head coaching target.
St. Brown entered the league in 2021 with Johnson as the passing game coordinator and Anthony Lynn as the offensive coordinator, gaining 912 yards that season.
The former University of Southern California star exploded as a second-year receiver, with Johnson taking over the play-calling and posting 1,161 receiving yards the following year and at least 1,250 yards and double-digit touchdowns the past two seasons. Piled up.
