The 2024 season is upon us, and the Detroit Lions' offensive aspirations rest heavily on the shoulders of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Tasked with orchestrating an offense that can keep defenses guessing and supercharging the team's key playmakers, Johnson's strategies will be pivotal to Detroit's success.
One of the central themes under Johnson's watch is confidence and growth, particularly with rising star Jameson Williams. Williams, entering his third season, has been a focal point of Johnson's admiration and high expectations. As Johnson mentioned in his weekly address, "The more reps, the more time we get together on the field, the better I feel about him. He's grown in so many ways, on and off the field" (Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire). Williams' speed continues to be a game-changer, stretching defenses and creating opportunities for quarterback Jared Goff and the rest of the receiving corps.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions' standout wide receiver, echoes this sentiment of relentless improvement. Coming off a stellar 2023 campaign that saw him earn All-Pro honors and a four-year, $120 million extension, St. Brown is fired up to replicate and exceed his success. "It's a new year. Everything is reset. This is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ type of league. Right now, I’m at the bottom. I’ve got to restart, I’ve got to do it again. That’s what motivates me," St. Brown declared, emphasizing the league's demand for constant excellence (Eric Woodyard, ESPN via ClutchPoints).
Ben Johnson's offensive schemes are lauded for their complexity and adaptability. St. Brown highlighted this, saying, "He does a great job of bringing us new schemes that are similar but a little different, with little wrinkles in our offense that make it tough on defense" (MLive). The defensive attention St. Brown garners invariably opens up opportunities for his teammates, making the Lions' offense a multi-dimensional threat.
Johnson's creative play-calling and in-game adjustments have helped the Lions offense become one of the NFL's most potent. His ability to mix traditional plays with innovative formations and shifts keeps opposing defenses on their toes. A prime example is how Johnson plans to utilize Williams' speed to not just stretch the field but to create mismatches and easier reads for Goff. "I think he's got that rare ability in this league to take the top off the coverage," Johnson explained, underscoring how Williams can redefine the Lions' aerial attack (Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire).
The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for Lions fans, with Johnson's offensive ingenuity at the forefront. With proven stars like St. Brown and emerging talents like Williams, combined with a coordinator who continually pushes the envelope, Detroit's offense is set to be a force to be reckoned with. The blueprint for success is clear, and it all starts with executing Johnson's masterful game plans on the field.
What other sites are saying about this topic
Lions star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown motivated by challenge to do it all again from MLive
NOTEBOOK: Lions confident in Williams as he enters pivotal third season from Detroit Lions
Lions confidence in Jameson Williams 'as high as it's ever been' from Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire
Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown makes eye-opening 'restart' admission from ClutchPoints
Establishing bold, but realistic over/under marks for 2024 Detroit Lions from Justin Rogers, Detroit Football Network