Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a very direct message for fans who are already panicking about the team’s decision to hire Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator: relax and trust the people in charge.
Speaking on the St. Brown Podcast, the All-Pro receiver didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Do you guys have no trust in Dan? Do you think they would just hire a random dude? Just relax, calm down and let the whole thing play out.”
It was classic Amon-Ra — confident, blunt, and rooted in his belief in head coach Dan Campbell and the culture that has been built in Detroit.
“Do you guys have no trust in Dan (Campbell)? Do you think they’d just hire a random dude?”
Amon-Ra St. Brown has a message for those criticizing the hire of Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator for the Lions 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/PRwnGnRcM6
— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) January 21, 2026
Trust in Dan Campbell’s Vision
St. Brown’s comments come at a time when some fans are uneasy about the Petzing hire because he is not a flashy, headline-grabbing name. But inside NFL circles, Petzing is viewed as a sharp offensive mind who has worked closely with quarterbacks, understands timing-based passing concepts, and believes in tailoring schemes to players rather than forcing players into a rigid system.
From St. Brown’s point of view, that’s exactly the type of coach Campbell would target. The Lions are not in the business of making random hires. Every move is filtered through culture, fit, and football IQ, and St. Brown is clearly confident that Petzing checks those boxes.
Why Petzing Fits the Lions’ Offensive Identity
Detroit’s offense is built on precision, physicality, and maximizing the strengths of its playmakers. That philosophy has turned Amon-Ra into one of the most productive and reliable receivers in the NFL, and it has helped Jared Goff play some of the best football of his career.
An offensive coordinator who emphasizes spacing, rhythm, and timing could actually enhance what the Lions already do well. It also suggests continuity rather than a dramatic philosophical shift, which is important for a team that believes its Super Bowl window is wide open.
The Locker Room Belief in the Front Office
More than anything, St. Brown’s response reflects the trust players have in the organization’s leadership. This is the same front office and coaching staff that drafted him, developed him into an All-Pro, built one of the league’s best offensive lines, and transformed Detroit into a legitimate championship contender.
Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have earned credibility in the locker room. St. Brown’s words show that the players are fully bought in and believe the decision-makers know exactly what they’re doing.
Bottom Line
The emotional leader of the Lions’ offense isn’t panicking, and he’s telling fans there’s no reason to panic either. Amon-Ra St. Brown trusts Dan Campbell, trusts the process, and believes the Drew Petzing hire deserves a fair evaluation before being judged.
Sometimes the smartest move is exactly what St. Brown said: relax, calm down, and let it play out.
Jeff Bilbrey
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