The Detroit Lions have every reason to continue to be impressed with rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa. So much of the culture that Dan Campbell has built the franchise around is not just about mental toughness, but the ability to finish every play and bring a level of expected physicality. Lions fans didn't have to wait long to find out whether or not TeSlaa was going to fit this brand of football.
Coming in as a third-round pick, the rookie was dealing with checked expectations in a loaded offense. Simply making the roster and looking like a capable depth piece was the expectation. However, TeSlaa has defied this, making plays in camp and, more importantly, bringing a brand of familiar physicality that is catching the attention of Detroit coaches and players.
The rookie has zero fear of getting into a scrap or taking on a bigger defender. The situation doesn't matter for TeSlaa; the rookie is going to have the pedal to the floor and play with a certain edge that now defines Lions football. It has forced an interesting conversation debating exactly where the receiver might stand on the depth chart and if he could work his way into consistent reps.
#Lions rookie Isaac TeSlaa has earned the respect of veteran players because of his blocking, Amon-Ra St. Brown said pic.twitter.com/uWGvfvlvHu
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 14, 2025
Lions Star Receiver Continues to Be Impressed by Rookie Isaac TeSlaa
Amon-Ra St. Brown commented on this in a recent interview, letting it be known that the rookie was expected to help the team win on Sundays. This wasn't done in a warning tone, but one impressed with how the receiver has presented himself, fully buying into his ability to help the offense win now. It seems fitting that St. Brown is the one delivering this message.
The star has made a name for himself as one of the league's elite while refusing to compromise, helping his team win. St. Brown won't be caught pitching a sideline fit or refusing to fight for his teammates. Despite being undersized, the receiver is a great blocker and will fight for every yard as a ball carrier or a primary blocker.
St. Brown's energy isn't going to be determined by how many balls he catches or what the offensive game plan might be. The star is going to bring the same effort and intensity to every situation, and that is a large part of what has made this offense great.
With this in mind, the star's comments carry a great deal of weight, pointing out that TeSlaa not only reflects Detroit's identity, but also shares the attitude of their star receiver. A great sign for an offense that could use a boost moving into the 2025 season.