Idea to Trade Amon-Ra St. Brown Gets Support From 97.1 Host

A 97.1 The Ticket caller suggested the Detroit Lions trade their star wide receiver to the Kansas City Chiefs for defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A caller on 97.1 The Ticket proposed that the Detroit Lions trade wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for defensive tackle Chris Jones. While one of the show's hosts, Rico Beard, said he would make the trade "in a heartbeat," the other host, Jeff Riger, took the opposite stance.

Why it matters

The Lions are looking to upgrade their defense, and the past two Super Bowl winners have had success with strong defensive lines. Trading away a star offensive player like St. Brown for a defensive tackle like Jones could help the Lions shore up their defense, but it would come at the cost of losing one of their top offensive weapons.

The details

The caller's idea was to trade Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions' star wide receiver, to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for defensive tackle Chris Jones. Rico Beard, one of the show's hosts, said he would make the trade "in a heartbeat," citing the Lions' other offensive weapons like Isaac TeSlaa and Jameson Williams, as well as the opportunity to add Jones to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive line. However, Jeff Riger, who was filling in for Mike Valenti, took the opposite stance and did not agree with the proposed trade.

  • The trade idea was presented on 97.1 The Ticket this week.

The players

Amon-Ra St. Brown

The Detroit Lions' star wide receiver.

Chris Jones

The Kansas City Chiefs' defensive tackle, who had a down year in 2025 according to PFF rankings.

Rico Beard

The co-host of the afternoon drive show on 97.1 The Ticket who said he would make the trade "in a heartbeat."

Jeff Riger

The host who was filling in for Mike Valenti and took the opposite stance, disagreeing with the proposed trade.

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What they’re saying

“I'd do it. It would hurt, but you've got (Isaac TeSlaa here, you've got Jamo (Jameson Williams here. You could go and find a veteran wide receiver if you need them. Yes, and you're adding Chris Jones to go along with Aidan Hutchinson. I'd do that trade in a heartbeat.”

— Rico Beard, Co-host, 97.1 The Ticket (97.1 The Ticket)

“Chris Jones' 2025 season was a tale of two phases. His 70.5 PFF grade marked the first time he's dipped below 72.0 since his rookie year and just the third time in his 10-year career that he's graded under 85.0. He remained elite as a pass-rusher, recording seven sacks, 19 hits and 37 hurries on 495 pass-rush snaps en route to a 90.7 pass-rush grade, which ranked second at the position. However, his 43.4 run-defense grade (107th out of 142 qualifying interior defenders) dragged down his overall mark.”

— PFF (PFF)

The takeaway

This trade proposal highlights the difficult decisions NFL teams face when trying to balance their roster and improve their weaknesses. While adding a talented defensive tackle like Chris Jones could bolster the Lions' defense, trading away a star offensive player like Amon-Ra St. Brown would come at a significant cost to their offense. The debate between the two 97.1 The Ticket hosts underscores the complex tradeoffs involved in such a high-profile potential transaction.