The Detroit Lions have taken a major step toward reshaping their offense, officially hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator on January 19, 2026. The move ends a two-week search following the dismissal of John Morton after Detroit finished the 2025 season 9–8 and missed the playoffs.
Petzing arrives from the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent the last three seasons as offensive coordinator. Known for his creative run schemes and attention to detail, the 38-year-old now steps into one of the NFL’s most talent-rich offensive situations as Detroit looks to return to postseason contention.
Who Is Drew Petzing? A Look at His Coaching Background
Drew Petzing’s path to Detroit has been unconventional but steady. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at Harvard in 2009, later working at Boston College and Yale before earning an NFL internship with the Cleveland Browns in 2013.
His NFL résumé includes:
Minnesota Vikings (2016–2019): Wide receivers and quarterbacks coach
Cleveland Browns (2020–2022): Quarterbacks and tight ends coach
Arizona Cardinals (2023–2025): Offensive coordinator
Petzing took over play-calling duties in Arizona under head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was fired after a 3–14 season in 2025.
Why the Lions Chose Petzing at a Critical Moment
Despite ranking fourth in scoring and fifth in total yards during the 2025 season, the Lions lacked offensive consistency. Head coach Dan Campbell stepped in as play-caller midway through the year, but Detroit still failed to qualify for the playoffs after back-to-back postseason appearances.
That inconsistency—especially in the run game—played a major role in the Lions’ decision. Detroit failed to reach 100 rushing yards in seven games, losing all seven. Petzing’s proven success with rushing attacks made him an appealing candidate.
Evaluating Petzing’s Arizona Cardinals Tenure
Petzing’s time in Arizona was shaped heavily by injuries and roster instability.
2025 Cardinals offensive rankings:
23rd in scoring
26th in passing offense
16th in rushing offense
Quarterback Kyler Murray appeared in just five games, while running back James Conner was sidelined after three. Veteran Jacoby Brissett started 12 games, often throwing more than 40 passes.
Still, Petzing maximized his personnel. Tight end Trey McBride posted a record 126 receptions, highlighting Petzing’s ability to feature tight ends effectively.
Earlier seasons told a more encouraging story. The Cardinals finished top five in rushing in both 2023 and 2024, ranking second in the NFL in 2024 with 5.3 yards per carry. That same year, Arizona ranked 12th in scoring and 14th in passing. Notably, James Conner recorded the only two 1,000-yard rushing seasons of his career under Petzing.
How Drew Petzing Fits the Lions’ Offensive Personnel
Petzing inherits a loaded offense in Detroit:
QB: Jared Goff
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown (All-Pro), Jameson Williams
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs
TE: Sam LaPorta
OL: Led by All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell
Jameson Williams is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, while St. Brown remains one of the league’s most productive receivers. With Gibbs and an elite offensive line, Petzing’s run-game expertise could be the missing piece.
Brad Holmes Explains the Hiring Philosophy
Lions general manager Brad Holmes emphasized preparation, detail, and standards when discussing the coordinator search:
“You’ve got to know that there’s somebody that’s going to dot every ‘I,’ cross every ‘T’ and make sure nothing is compromised—from game-planning all the way through the week. When you know, you know.”
That emphasis aligns closely with Petzing’s reputation as a detail-oriented, adaptable coach.
Dan Campbell’s Role and Play-Calling Questions
One unanswered question is who will call plays in 2026. Campbell has taken over play-calling duties twice during his tenure and hasn’t ruled out keeping them.
At his year-end press conference, Campbell said he will do “what’s best for the team,” leaving the door open for Petzing to take full control—or for shared responsibilities.
More Coaching Uncertainty in Detroit
Adding intrigue, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is reportedly drawing head-coaching interest, which could lead to additional staff changes. Meanwhile, John Morton exits after losing play-calling duties midseason following Ben Johnson’s departure to become Chicago Bears head coach.
Is Petzing the Right Hire for the Lions?
The hire has drawn mixed reactions. Some fans believe Detroit could have targeted a more proven name, given how desirable the Lions’ offensive coordinator job is. However, Petzing’s connection to Ben Johnson—they worked together at Boston College—may have strengthened his candidacy.
Known for his hands-on sideline presence and adaptability, Petzing now faces the biggest challenge of his career.
What’s Next for the Detroit Lions Offense?
As the 2026 offseason unfolds, Detroit must:
Address injuries, including Sam LaPorta
Strengthen offensive line depth
Decide on long-term play-calling structure
With Drew Petzing in place, expectations are clear: restore balance, improve rushing consistency, and maximize a talented core.
Whether Petzing can help push the Lions back into the playoffs will be one of the defining storylines of the 2026 NFL season in Detroit.
