The Detroit Lions had a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Despite the setback, their star wide receiver (WR) looks optimstic for the upcoming season.

While speaking to ESPN's Eric Woodyard, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown explained that he has 'been motivated as ever.' He displayed his eagerness to restore the Detroit Lions' Super Bowl contender status. 

"I've been excited to get back to work, I feel like last year, we had a disappointing season as a team. That's how we feel internally. So, I've just been excited to get back to work," St. Brown said. "I've been motivated as ever. I feel like I'm motivated every year, but this year, I feel like it was a little different."

Due to a stacked injury reserve list, the Motor City team was not able to qualify for the playoffs in 2025. They also came last in the NFC North Division. 

However for Amon-Ra, he finished the season with 117 catches while covering 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

It was a consecutive fourth season for him with at least 100 receptions and 1,100 receiving yards. During the interview, he also discussed his practice sessions while coming off a surgery.

"I didn't really have an offseason the year before because I came off surgery, so to have a healthy offseason was nice for me," St. Brown said. "Just training and getting back to work, getting back to the grind, and now being back in Detroit, back with the guys, OTAs starting up. Practices about to start up. We're all excited."

Despite being out of touch with football in the off-season, St. Brown believes in the team's potential. He looks forward to make an impact with the revamped Lions' roster for the upcoming season.

St. Brown Believes in Lions' Revamped Roster

The Detroit Lions had been one of the most dominant teams in the NFC conference in the 2023 and 24 seasons. They replicated their success from 1952-54, when they had won consecutive division titles.

"I feel like our whole nucleus is still with us. A lot of our best players are still with us and have been with us, so I feel like when you've got the players that we have, I can go down the list of the guys -- offensively, defensively, and special teams... Jack Fox, Jake Bates," St. Brown said.

Despite the departures of David Montgomery, Graham Glasgow, and Taylor Decker, St. Brown believes the roster is holding up for the 2026 season.

"We've got some free agents, signed some good guys, drafted some good guys, so we've got the coaches," St. Brown stated.

He has shown his full faith in the recent selections made by the front office during the 2026 NFL free agency and the drafts.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Rishab Nandi