Amon-Ra St. Brown has already established himself as the heart of the Lions offense, but with a new offensive coordinator in 2026, his role could evolve in a big way — and it might make Detroit’s top receiver even more dangerous.
The Detroit Lions will enter the 2026 NFL season looking to rebound after missing the playoffs in 2025, and once again, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will be at the center of the offense. With a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing, St. Brown’s role could evolve, but expectations remain extremely high for the Lions’ top playmaker.
St. Brown has established himself as one of the most reliable wide receivers in the NFL over the past several seasons. Known for his route running, toughness over the middle and ability to consistently move the chains, he has become quarterback Jared Goff’s most trusted target and the clear No. 1 option in Detroit’s passing game.
Heading into 2026, there is little reason to believe that will change. If anything, St. Brown could see an even larger role depending on how Petzing structures the offense.
Petzing was hired by Detroit in 2026 after spending three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, where his offenses were built around a strong running game, play-action passing and short, efficient throws. This style of offense could actually benefit St. Brown significantly, as he thrives in short and intermediate routes, particularly out of the slot.
Petzing’s offenses have historically emphasized tight ends, running backs and quick passing concepts rather than deep shots downfield. That type of system typically relies heavily on a precise route runner who can consistently get open quickly — something St. Brown excels at.
Because of that, St. Brown could see a high volume of targets once again in 2026. The Lions offense may lean more on the run game and play-action, but that often leads to crossing routes, slants and option routes, which are areas where St. Brown has built his reputation.
Another factor that could impact St. Brown’s production is the Lions’ offensive balance. During Petzing’s time in Arizona, his offenses were among the better rushing teams in the league in multiple seasons, showing his commitment to establishing the run. If Detroit becomes more run-heavy, St. Brown’s total targets might slightly decrease, but his efficiency could increase due to more favorable matchups created by play-action.
St. Brown has already expressed excitement about working with the new offensive coordinator and has publicly supported the hire, showing confidence that the offense can still be productive under the new system. That confidence suggests the Lions’ offensive leaders believe the transition will be smooth.
From a production standpoint, St. Brown should still be expected to put up strong numbers in 2026. Even if the offensive philosophy changes slightly, elite receivers tend to produce regardless of system, and St. Brown has already proven he can be productive in multiple offensive schemes.
The biggest expectation for St. Brown in 2026 may not just be statistics, but leadership. As one of the core players on the roster and one of the most respected voices in the locker room, he will play a major role in helping the offense adjust to a new coordinator and system.
If the Lions offense adapts well to Petzing’s scheme, St. Brown could once again be one of the most productive slot receivers in the NFL and remain the focal point of Detroit’s passing game. Heading into the 2026 season, expectations remain the same for St. Brown — consistent production, leadership and being the engine that keeps the Lions offense moving.