The Detroit Lions have undergone significant changes since their season ended in the Divisional Round.
The team lost both Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson to head coaching roles this offseason, along with defensive line coach Terrell Williams and assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett. Receivers coach Antwaan Randle El also joined the list, leaving to follow Johnson to Chicago, and his exit came with some unexpected moments. Star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown recently shared how he learned about Randle El’s departure.
Lions News: Amon-Ra St. Brown Reflects on How He Found Out About Antwaan Randle El Leaving
On a recent episode of the St. Brown podcast, Amon-Ra discussed Randle El’s departure. The Lions receivers, including Randle El, have a group chat, and St. Brown decided to send a message to the group. He said, “El. Ain’t you from Chicago? You following Ben?” He sent that message at 6:17 PM, and just two minutes later, he got a call from Randle El. “He goes, ‘Hey man, how’d you know? Did that get leaked?'” St. Brown recounted.
Answering the call, St. Brown learned that Randle El was leaving to become the wide receivers coach and assistant head coach for the Bears. While St. Brown understood this was a big career opportunity for his coach, he held no hard feelings.
Randle El, originally from Chicago, found the move more logical. The 45-year-old started his NFL coaching career in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Lions as their wide receivers coach from 2021-2024.
During their time together, St. Brown and Randle El built a strong relationship, especially as St. Brown entered the league in 2021. Over his 66 games with Detroit, St. Brown posted 430 receptions (570 targets) for 4,851 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Randle El also played a role in developing Jameson Williams, but with his departure, the Lions will need to find a new coach to fill his position.
After a successful couple of seasons, the Lions have seen several of their coaches poached by other teams. Randle El will now face his former team twice a year, but St. Brown and his teammates wish him nothing but success.
More news……
Lions WR Forced to Withdraw from Pro Bowl After Injury
There will be no blue hair at the Pro Bowl this year after all.
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has withdrawn from the event this weekend due to injury, and will be replaced by Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, as announced by the Giants.
This means that the talented Detroit receiver, who posted 115 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards to earn his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection, will not be attending the annual event in Orlando.
St. Brown becomes the second Lions player to back out of the Pro Bowl. Earlier this week, offensive lineman Penei Sewell also withdrew, with fellow lineman Taylor Decker stepping in as his replacement.
However, Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Frank Ragnow, Brian Branch, and Jack Fox are still set to participate, along with Decker.
The Pro Bowl games are scheduled to take place from Thursday through Sunday, featuring a skills competition and a flag football game.
