The Lions have landed on their preferred candidate for the offensive coordinator position. Drew Petzing is heading to Detroit, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
The sides are working to finalize an agreement in this case, per Schefter. Once that takes place, the Lions will have their John Morton replacement set for 2026. Morton was dismissed after one season in the OC role.
This hire is likely to see Petzing handle play-calling duties, Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler confirms. Head coach Dan Campbell took over in that capacity midway through the 2025 campaign. As Fowler notes, though, it was expected throughout Detroit’s search process that Campbell would hand those responsibilities to the new offensive coordinator. Petzing called plays during his three years with the Cardinals.
When Arizona hired Jonathan Gannon as head coach, Petzing was among the members of his initial staff. Both remained in place with the Cardinals through the end of the 2025 campaign. Gannon was fired shortly after the end of the regular season, however. Petzing and other staffers have since been expected to depart during the hiring cycle. He and Campbell have never worked together, but as ESPN’s Field Yates notes, Petzing is very close with Bears head coach (and former Lions OC) Ben Johnson.
Campbell will hope that level of familiarity – in a sense – will help bring about a return to Johnson-era production on offense. Detroit did not fall particularly short in that respect in 2025, ranking fifth in points and yards per game. Still, struggles in the run game in particular were an issue this past season. Improving on that front will be a key priority for Petzing’s unit.
The 38-year-old led Arizona to rankings of 19th and 24th in total and scoring offense, respectively, during his first season in place. Petzing’s best year came in 2024, when the Cardinals just missed out on a top-10 finish in each of those areas. Strong production on the ground was a key feature of Arizona’s offense during the first two season of Petzing’s tenure. That helped land him a head coaching interview during last year’s hiring cycle. Dealing with numerous injuries, the Cards regressed on offense in 2025.
Arizona’s HC position is still open at this time. The team’s offensive coordinator spot will now doubt remain vacant until Gannon’s replacement is in place. Petzing, meanwhile, will take charge of a Lions offense still featuring many of the elements it had during Johnson’s highly effective tenure. If things go according to plan in 2026, Petzing could once again find himself on the head coaching radar during next year’s cycle.
lmao
Eh, huh? What am I missing with why this guy was their ultimate choice?
It alludes to it in the article.
Do the Lions realize they have an offense that pretty much anybody would want to coordinate? They should get to pick who they want, not have to take what’s left.
I guess they feel McDaniel will coach the Brown-Eyes
Not even going to wait and see where McDaniel lands?
McDaniel probably already told them no.
If he did, it would be like a homeless man refusing a free meal thinking someone would give ’em a fat, giftcard … haha
Very promising hire, in my opinion. He showed a lot of promise in Arizona working with a suboptimal quarterback and supporting staff. A year ago he was getting head coach interviews. His biggest trouble came this season when he lost Klayton Adams, who coached the offensive line and designed a lot of the running game. Now he’ll have Hank Fraley for that.
Lmao really
I guess better a Petzing than a Pizcter …
Expect Goff to throw the ball with more authority and speed.
Especially when throwing to his “Pet” receivers.
Drew will coach Goff up to put more ZING on his passes !!
Not a bad hire
Gonna be one of those classic comment sections where 90% of the commenters will be shown to be wrong in a year. Happens with regularity.
All the damn time. And I’m sure most of them would never remember or admit remembering some of the things they’ve said.