"Hit his a**": Amon-Ra St. Brown reveals Dan Campbell's bold call to target Caleb Williams on crucial play
One of the most controversial NFL defensive strategies unfolded during a nail-biting Thanksgiving showdown between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.
Dynamic wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Lions coach Dan Campbell orchestrated this: a defensive game plan targeting rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Their strategy would become the talk of the NFL's Week 13 matchup.
The revelation came during the "St. Brown Bros" podcast on Tuesday, where Amon-Ra St. Brown detailed the Lions' calculated defensive approach.
"Dan was talking to us, and he was showing clips of Caleb, like going out of bounds, going back, and going out," St. Brown said. "He said, 'No, you don't. If he does this, we're gonna hit his a**.' I already warned the refs, so the refs know."
The Lions' 23-20 victory hinged on this controversial moment. Campbell's pregame film session identified Williams' tendency to play dangerously near the sideline — a critical tactical observation.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Williams react to the play
The crucial play unfolded when Caleb Williams, known for his creative scrambling, stepped out of bounds and returned to the field. Lions linebacker Jack Campbell delivered a hard hit that ignited immediate controversy.
"Out of bounds, steps back in, Jack hit his a**," Amon-Ra St. Brown said. "We were like 'yeah' and everyone on the Bears was like 'that's a flag!' We were like 'bro he went out and came back in, took it.'"
Williams reluctantly addressed the hit after the game.
"Yeah, that play was funky. Just put it that way. I didn't really appreciate the play," Williams said.
The rookie confirmed he only suffered a minor bruise, downplaying the incident's impact.
The strategic takedown came at a critical moment for the Lions. They are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL's best record at 11-1. Their upcoming game against the Green Bay Packers promises to be another high-stakes divisional showdown.
The NFL world now watches with keen interest. Campbell's bold approach can spark debate about the fine lines of defensive strategy and sideline play rules.