The 2025 NFL schedule release won't happen until May, but already, there is anticipation for next season beginning to build in several cities.
Detroit Lions fans are likely fired up to get things going after a frustrating finish to their season. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown embodied that passion when he spoke recently about the biggest game on next year's schedule.
As St. Brown explained on "The St. Brown Podcast," he wants the Lions to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener, because it will give the world a chance to see what the Lions could have done last season with a healthy defense in a hypothetical NFC championship.
Darius Slay, however, disagrees with that notion. Responding on his podcast "Big Play Slay," the cornerback admitted that while he loves Detroit, the Lions and St. Brown, there are no comparisons to be made between each team last year and next year.
“That team is not going to beat this team. Win, lose or draw, you wake up and you say, ‘oh yeah, this is what would’ve happened if we would’ve played them last year.’ No, you wouldn’t have, because that’s a different team. So get that out (of) your head."
”People will say ‘oh, we’ll see them next year.’ Well, you’re not gonna see us next year. You’re not gonna see the same team next year. You’re not. You’re (expletive) not. People are gonna be gone, people are gonna get money. Free agency coming up, money coming up. It’s not gonna be the same team. But I just had to get that on too, because y’all have been talking crazy.”
Slay's point is a good one. Both the Eagles and Lions will be different teams in 2025 with different rosters and different coaching staffs, so it's not completely fair to believe the upcoming matchup would have any bearing on what may have happened in the past.
Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn't think Eagles' roster will change much
Regardless of what the Eagles and Lions look like next season, St. Brown is excited for the matchup. He presented an intriguing case as to why which also makes sense. As he explained, each team's core won't undergo significant changes.
"Then you could really see what would happen in the NFC championship. With a healthy defense. Their team's not going to change much. It might change a little. That's what I'm saying. You would see with our healthy defense how that (expletive) operates."
St. Brown is also right in his assumption. The Eagles, like the Lions, are built solidly. A few players may come and go, but it will be mostly the same team that won the Super Bowl, especially on offense. Detroit's defense will see so many injured players return before the season opener it will feel they are completely different than the group which played at the end of last season.
The Lions may or may not be selected to the NFL's season opener again after playing in the game in 2023. After witnessing this exchange, Detroit's matchup with Philadelphia next season will be must-see whenever it happens.