The Detroit Lions have officially zeroed in on their next offensive coordinator, moving forward with the hire of Drew Petzing—and not all fans are thrilled with the decision.

After reports surfaced Monday that Petzing was Detroit’s top choice to replace John Morton, backlash quickly followed on social media. But Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown wasn’t having it.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Defends Lions, Dan Campbell, and Drew Petzing

On a recent episode of the St. Brown Podcast, the All-Pro receiver delivered a blunt message to fans who have been openly criticizing the Lions’ coaching decision, questioning whether they truly trust head coach Dan Campbell and the organization.

“I see crazy Lions fans talking crazy, like, ‘Oh, why would we do this?’” St. Brown said. “Like, bro, do you guys have no trust in Dan, in the Lions? You think they would just hire a random dude? You think they don’t know what they’re doing, they don’t do their research, they don’t interview?”

St. Brown went on to call out fans for offering strong opinions despite, in his words, “not knowing ball,” emphasizing that many critics lack real insight into coaching evaluations and NFL decision-making.

Lions WR Urges Fans to Give New OC a Fair Chance

While clearly frustrated, St. Brown made sure to note that his comments weren’t rooted in dislike for the fanbase. Instead, he urged Lions fans to relax and give Petzing a fair opportunity before rushing to judgment.

Ultimately, as St. Brown pointed out, results on the field will decide whether the hire was the right move.

Drew Petzing’s NFL Coaching Background

Petzing has been in the NFL since 2013, beginning his career as a football operations intern with the Cleveland Browns. He then spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, working in four different offensive coaching roles, before returning to Cleveland for three more years.

His most recent stop came with the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent the last three seasons as offensive coordinator under head coach Jonathan Gannon.

Why Lions Fans Are Skeptical of the Hire

Much of the criticism surrounding Petzing stems from Arizona’s offensive production:

2023: 19.4 points per game

2024: 23.5 points per game

2025: 20.9 points per game

Those modest numbers have fueled concerns among Lions fans. However, context matters. The Cardinals dealt with significant roster issues, injuries, and inconsistency—factors that limited Petzing’s ability to fully showcase his offensive vision.

New Opportunity in Detroit

Now in Detroit, Petzing inherits a far more talented offensive roster, headlined by Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and one of the league’s top offensive lines. With better personnel and organizational stability, Petzing will have a real chance to prove himself.

Whether the Lions made the right call won’t be decided on social media—but on Sundays.