Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson ruffled some feathers when he left his post as offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, and not just among those within his former organization like Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Heading into Johnson’s second season at the helm, there are still mixed feelings.
St. Brown spoke candidly about Johnson, under whom the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro played his first four seasons in the NFL.
Bears’ Ben Johnson Gets Strong Message From Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown Gets Honest About Ben Johnson, Bears vs. Lions
Johnson preceded St. Brown in Detroit, with the Bears’ now-HC taking over as OC in Detroit during the wideout’s second season. St. Brown went from being a projected as a starting slot receiver at best to simply being one of the best at his position with Johnson’s help.
However, now that Johnson is on the other side, St. Brown takes great joy in defeating his former coach. That is just how it goes in a division rivalry.
Asked which team he likes to face because he “has their number,” St. Brown chose the Bears.
“It goes back and forth every year,” St. Brown said during an interview with “B/R Gridiron” in a clip shared on X on June 18. “I feel like the Bears, we’re like 4-0 the last two years. So, it’s been pretty nice.”
The Bears dropped both games against the Lions in 2025, with a 52-21 blowout in Week 2 and a much closer 19-16 affair in Week 18.
St. Brown had 20 receptions for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns in those games.
However, the Bears made the postseason while the Lions missed it for the first time since 2022. That was Johnson’s first season as the Lions’ play-caller.
St. Brown earned his first Pro Bowl and would log back-to-back First Team All-Pro selections over the next two seasons.
Despite what Johnson did for him, he is now the enemy.
“I love Ben Johnson. He’s my guy,” St. Brown said. “But I just don’t like the Bears because they have Ben, and Ben used to be with us. But I’m happy for them, too. So, it’s like a love-and-hate thing.”
Amon-Ra St. Brown Would Be Fitting Future Bear
Not for nothing, but St. Brown–who is signed through 2028 on a four-year, $120 million contract–has been the subjected to trade speculation, albeit from fans and media.
The Lions would certainly tax the Bears, if they would even entertain such an idea.
However, there is an out in St. Brown’s contract after the 2027 season that could see him hit unrestricted free agency. Several dominoes must fall before that is a possibility. With Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, assuming both can stay healthy, the Bears are set for a starting duo, with hopes a WR3 emerges from someone like Jahdae Walker or Zavion Thomas.
St. Brown will be heading into his age-29 season in 2028, too. Still, it is something for Johnson and the Bears to file away for down the road.
The Bears and Lions will face off in Week 12 in Chicago and again in Detroit in Week 16 in 2026.
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