When former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears, there was speculation that he might bring along other coaches.
Those two coaches turned out to be former Lions WR coach Antwaan Randle El and former assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett.
It seems one of the Lions’ star players figured out Randle El’s departure before the official announcement.
On the January 29 episode of the “St. Brown Podcast,” Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown shared how he put the pieces together in a group chat with his coach and fellow receivers before the news broke.
St. Brown explained, “I hit up the group chat, I go, ‘El, ain’t you from Chicago?’ I sent that. Next one. ‘You following Ben?’ Literally, I sent that at 6:17 p.m. Two minutes later, I get a call from him. ‘The (expletive).’ I answer.”
He went on, “He said, ‘What’s up, man.’ He goes, ‘Hey man. How’d you know? Did that get leaked?’ I said, ‘Nah, I was just messing around.'”
Randle El had been Detroit’s receivers coach throughout St. Brown’s career, and their partnership led to St. Brown becoming a star, surpassing 1,000 yards in his second season and earning All-Pro first-team honors in the subsequent seasons.
In the podcast, St. Brown also mentioned that he was happy for Randle El but hinted at extra motivation when the Lions face the Bears next season, with so many familiar faces on the opposing sideline.