After a disappointing 9–8 finish in the 2025 NFL season that kept them out of the playoffs, the Detroit Lions made major changes to their coaching staff, parting ways with offensive coordinator John Morton after his play-calling duties were taken away midseason by head coach Dan Campbell.
With former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaving Detroit to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears, the Lions launched a wide-ranging search for a new OC capable of restoring the offense’s previous success.
One of the most notable candidates linked to the job was former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who interviewed with the team but ultimately was not hired.
Why the Lions Didn’t Hire Mike McDaniel
Despite strong interest, the Lions decided McDaniel was not the right fit for their offense. According to ESPN NFL Insider Jeff Darlington, Detroit’s front office and coaching staff felt McDaniel didn’t align with what they were specifically seeking in a new offensive coordinator.
“Of coordinator jobs that Mike McDaniel has interviewed for, the Lions gig was the least likely to materialize,” Darlington wrote on X. “Campbell liked McDaniel a lot, but Lions didn’t view it as quite the right fit for them. As for other OC vacancies? Mike is very much in play. Ball is in his court.”
While McDaniel remains a popular candidate around the league, Detroit opted to go in a different direction.
Lions Hire Drew Petzing as New Offensive Coordinator
Instead of McDaniel, the Lions hired Drew Petzing, formerly the Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator, to lead their offense moving forward. Petzing spent the past three seasons in Arizona under head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Petzing also brings previous NFL experience with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns, where he worked closely with tight ends and quarterbacks under Kevin Stefanski.
Brad Holmes Explains What the Lions Wanted in an OC
Earlier this offseason, Lions general manager Brad Holmes outlined the traits Detroit prioritized during its coordinator search, emphasizing attention to detail and consistency throughout the weekly game-planning process.
“You just have to be able to know that they’re somebody that’s gonna be able to dot every ‘i,’ cross every ‘t,’ and make sure that nothing is compromised from a detail standpoint,” Holmes said.
“When you go through the process of getting in front of them, when you know, you know.”
Petzing Takes Over a Talented Lions Offense
Petzing inherits an offense loaded with talent, including quarterback Jared Goff, star receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and dynamic running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
As the Lions aim to rebound in 2026, the organization believes Petzing’s structure, attention to detail, and experience best match the culture Dan Campbell is building in Detroit.
