The Detroit Lions are set to enter the 2024 NFL season with one of the league’s most formidable offenses. Amon-Ra St. Brown, a standout wide receiver for the Lions, expressed his admiration for his teammate Jameson Williams and the team’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on the latest episode of “The Mina Kimes Show.”
The Lions’ offense was among the top five last season, averaging 27.1 points per game. This impressive performance was driven by several factors, including Jared Goff’s 30 touchdowns and 4,575 passing yards, the combined 2,000 rushing yards from David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and All-Pro seasons from St. Brown and Penei Sewell. Integral to this success was the strategic play-calling by Ben Johnson, a respected figure in the NFL for his deep understanding of offensive tactics.
St. Brown praised Johnson’s tireless work ethic and strategic mindset, stating, “I think what they don’t see is the amount of work that he puts into his craft. He’s up dissecting defenses for hours on end. Honestly, I don’t know if the man sleeps.” This meticulous preparation allows Johnson to set up plays weeks in advance, a strategy that has shown significant results on the field.
Johnson’s approach is not only about immediate play-calling but about creating opportunities that unfold over several weeks of gameplay. St. Brown explained, “The thing that Ben does that’s so great is he’s not trying to set up a play during a game, he’s setting it up weeks before.” This forward-thinking methodology has contributed to the Lions’ high success rate on fourth downs, with the team going for it 34 percent of the time last season, the highest rate any team has seen this century.
The aggressive play-calling by Johnson and head coach Dan Campbell has been embraced by the Lions players. “We understand going into games that if it’s fourth-and-short and we’re in plus territory, we’re probably gonna go for it,” St. Brown said. This mindset has changed the way players like St. Brown approach their routes and game situations, knowing there is always a chance to push for more yards and maintain possession.
Jameson Williams, who had 354 yards and two touchdowns last season, is expected to benefit greatly from this offensive strategy. St. Brown has high expectations for Williams, mentioning his speed and the opportunities he will have due to their balanced offensive threats. “I think he’s gonna have a bunch of 1-on-1 opportunities just because of our style of play,” St. Brown remarked. “I feel bad for anyone that’s trying to run with Jameson Williams, because that guy can run.”
With a powerful combination of strategic play-calling, aggressive tactics, and player synergy, the Detroit Lions’ offense is poised to make a significant impact this season. St. Brown’s comments highlight the confidence and expectations within the team, setting the stage for what could be an exciting year for Lions fans.
