The Lions' 2025 season was a disappointment, to say the least. Despite high aspirations and a 9-8 record, Detroit failed to make the playoffs, falling short of the Lombardi Trophy. But wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is ready to turn the page and move forward, motivated as ever to get back on the field.
St. Brown's enthusiasm is infectious, and it's clear he's eager to put last year's letdown behind him. "I've been excited to get back to work," he told ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I feel like last year, we had a disappointing season as a team. That's how we feel internally. So, I've just been excited to get back to work. I've been motivated as ever. I feel like I'm motivated every year, but this year, I feel like it was a little different."
The Lions' coaching staff and backfield have undergone significant changes this offseason. They've parted ways with offensive coordinator John Morton and hired former Cardinals OC Drew Petzing, a move that St. Brown seems optimistic about. The team also traded running back David Montgomery for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and multiple draft picks, a move that St. Brown was even "sick" over, claiming he's an RB1 on 31 other teams.
Despite the changes, St. Brown remains confident in the team's ability to contend for a Super Bowl. "I feel like our whole nucleus is still with us," he said. "A lot of our best players are still with us and have been with us, so I feel like when you've got the players that we have, I can go down the list of the guys -- offensively, defensively and special teams... Jack Fox, Jake Bates. We've got a bunch of guys on our team, so when you've got the nucleus that we have, I think you always have a shot at the big one. So, we've just got to put it together."
St. Brown's optimism is well-placed, given the team's recent moves. The Lions have signed some good free agents and drafted some promising players, and with the right coaching staff in place, they're poised to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy. As St. Brown and his teammates gear up for organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, the excitement is palpable.
The Lions' quest for the Lombardi Trophy begins in earnest on May 27, when organized team activities start, and ramps up with Detroit's mandatory minicamp on June 16. With St. Brown's motivation and the team's recent changes, the future looks bright for the Lions, and the excitement is only going to grow as they take on the challenge of another season.
In my opinion, the Lions' 2025 season was a wake-up call, and the team has responded with the right moves. St. Brown's enthusiasm is contagious, and with the right pieces in place, the Lions are poised to make a deep playoff run. The future is bright for Detroit, and the Lombardi Trophy may just be within reach.
