The Detroit Lions come into the 2025 season looking to pick up where they left off. After reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs last season, the Lions came up short in both instances as they look to make their first appearance in the Super Bowl.
That sustained success is enough for any team to put a target on the Lions ahead of next season. But in the case of one Lions star, his offseason comments have fanned the flames for a premiere matchup scheduled for next year and could add another layer of intrigue when the two teams match up.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Wants the Lions to Face the Eagles to Open 2025 Season
Amon-Ra St. Brown appeared on Kevin Hart’s “Cold as Balls” show on YouTube and discussed his goals for the upcoming season. While he stated that reaching the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal for the Lions, St. Brown made it clear that he wants to face the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles to open the 2025 season.
“We want to win the Super Bowl,” St. Brown said while up to his neck in an ice bath.
“But…” Hart, a noted Eagles fan, replied.
“But nothing,” St. Brown said.
“But you can’t because the Eagles…” Hart continued.
“Just won one,” St. Brown said.
“That’s what I wanted to hear,” Hart finished.
St. Brown’s desire to face the defending champions in Week 1 is not new. On an episode of his podcast with brothers Equanimeous and Osiris, St. Brown lamented the fact the Lions didn’t get to face the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game after they were upset by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs.
He also went on to cite the 13 Lions defenders that were on injured reserve when Detroit reached the playoffs and vouched for the Lions’ to open the season in Philadelphia.
“Their team’s not going to change much,” St. Brown said. “Maybe a little but…you would see what could have happened in an NFC Championship with a healthy defense, how that s— operates.”
Part of the work is already done as the Lions are scheduled to visit Philadelphia at some point during the 2025 season. Scheduling a marquee matchup for the Eagles’ Super Bowl celebration would also draw plenty of eyeballs as both teams are expected to contend for a title in 2025.
But while St. Brown and the Lions getting showered with boos in Philadelphia would be a marketing dream, the opening game of the season will be a draw no matter who is playing. An NFC Championship rematch with the Commanders would be intriguing as a matchup of divisional rivals and the Los Angeles Rams would be another rematch of a snowy playoff game in the divisional round.
A team like the Chicago Bears has plenty of interest with new head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and could allow the NFL to stick the Lions/Eagles game in their back pocket for a time when they’ll need ratings.
It’s not something St. Brown will want to hear. But the Eagles and the Lions will be worth the wait whenever the two teams meet up in 2025