Amon-Ra St. Brown Defends Lions Amid Fan Backlash Over Petzing Hire

The Detroit Lions fanbase is no stranger to emotional highs and lows, but this offseason has delivered a particularly charged debate. After a 9-8 campaign that saw the team miss the playoffs for the first time since 2022, the Lions parted ways with offensive coordinator John Morton, who had already lost his play-calling duties midway through the 2025 season. Stepping into the hot seat is Drew Petzing, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, whose hiring has set off a firestorm of reactions across Detroit and beyond.

The move wasn’t exactly greeted with open arms. As soon as news broke, a collective groan rippled through Michigan. Fans had been hoping for a more high-profile name to take the reins of what many consider one of the NFL’s most exciting offensive units. With weapons like running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receiver Jameson Williams, and star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, expectations were sky-high. Many pointed to candidates like Zac Robinson, Mike Kafka, and especially former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as dream hires. When the Lions landed on Petzing, message boards and radio shows lit up with skepticism.

Yet, perhaps no reaction was as headline-grabbing as that of Amon-Ra St. Brown himself. The Pro Bowl wideout, fresh off a career-best season with 117 catches for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns, took to his podcast to defend the Lions’ front office and head coach Dan Campbell. But it wasn’t just a measured defense—St. Brown’s comments stoked the flames, calling out the intelligence and football knowledge of the very fans who fill Ford Field each week.

“I see crazy Lions fans talking crazy, like, ‘Oh, why would we do this?’ Like, bro, do you guys have no trust in Dan, in the Lions? You think they would just hire a random dude? You think they don’t know what they’re doing, they don’t do their research, they don’t interview? Most of you guys don’t know really much about anything, about any ball, and you’re tweeting about a coach that was hired that you guys don’t like because X, Y, Z,” St. Brown said on his podcast, pulling no punches. He doubled down, adding, “Most of you guys [Lions fans] don’t know much about anything, about any ball.”

The bluntness of St. Brown’s comments drew both criticism and laughter online. Social media users were quick to react, with one post reading, “Calling your own fan base stupid is so funny,” while another quipped, “Amon-Ra St. Brown talking about Lions fans. 🔥🔥🔥.” If St. Brown’s goal was to get people talking, he certainly succeeded.

But is the skepticism of Lions fans really unfounded? There’s historical context to consider. Dan Campbell’s track record with offensive coordinator hires is, at best, a mixed bag. Anthony Lynn and John Morton are widely seen as missteps, while Ben Johnson stands out as the rare success story. As 97.1 FM’s The Ticket put it during a recent broadcast: “Should Lions fans have blind trust in Dan Campbell’s hires?” The question hangs in the air, especially with the memory of the Lions’ offensive struggles still fresh.

Adding to the uncertainty is Drew Petzing’s resume. Since taking over as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator in 2023, Petzing’s offense failed to score 30 points in a single game during the 2025 season. That’s a far cry from the fireworks Lions fans were hoping for. With Detroit’s offensive line still in flux and no guarantee that Petzing will have all the pieces he needs, the pressure is on for immediate results.

Despite the doubts, the Lions’ leadership has made it clear that Petzing is their man. Reports indicate that Dan Campbell does not plan to retain play-calling duties at the start of the 2026 season, signaling trust in his new coordinator. However, history suggests Campbell isn’t afraid to step in if things go south—just as he did with Morton. If Petzing struggles out of the gate, the leash could be short, and the chorus of critics, both inside and outside the locker room, will only grow louder.

For St. Brown, the defense of the coaching staff goes beyond loyalty—it’s about faith in the process. “You think they would just hire a random dude? You think they don’t know what they’re doing, they don’t do their research, they don’t interview?” he asked rhetorically, aiming to reassure fans that the decision wasn’t made lightly. Still, his approach has prompted debate about the relationship between players and fans, especially in a city where football is woven into the fabric of daily life.

On the field, St. Brown has done everything asked of him and more. His 1,401 receiving yards ranked fifth in the league, and his 11 touchdowns tied for the NFL lead in 2025. He started all 17 games, embodying the consistency and reliability Detroit craves from its stars. With the offense looking to rebound, much will depend on whether Petzing can unlock even greater potential from St. Brown and his teammates.

Meanwhile, the rest of the NFL is watching. The Lions have become one of the league’s most intriguing teams, with a passionate fanbase desperate for a Super Bowl run. Every coaching hire, roster move, and public comment is scrutinized through the lens of decades of heartbreak and hope. Petzing’s task isn’t just to call plays—it’s to restore belief that this team can take the next step.

As for Dan Campbell, the goodwill he’s built in Detroit is being tested. Two failed offensive coordinator hires are already on his record. Ben Johnson’s tenure was a bright spot, but the jury is still out on defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, now entering his second year. If Petzing can’t get the offense humming, it’ll be another blemish on Campbell’s resume and more fuel for fan frustration.

For now, the debate rages on. Will Drew Petzing rise to the occasion and silence the doubters, or will the Lions’ offensive woes continue to haunt them? One thing’s for sure: with expectations sky-high and patience running thin, every snap in the 2026 season will be under the microscope. St. Brown has drawn his line in the sand, and the rest of Detroit is waiting to see which side history lands on.

With the offseason drama in full swing, all eyes are on training camp and the first few games of the year. If Petzing and the Lions offense can deliver, the noise will fade. If not, the scrutiny—and the social media firestorms—are only just beginning.