The Detroit Lions have made a bold and potentially franchise-altering decision, hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator in a sweeping move aimed at jump-starting an underachieving unit. The team announced the hire on January 19, 2026, concluding a two-week search to replace John Morton, who was dismissed shortly after Detroit finished a disappointing 9–8 campaign and missed the playoffs.
Petzing arrives from the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent the past three seasons as offensive coordinator and built a reputation for innovative run schemes despite operating under difficult circumstances. His appointment comes at a critical juncture for the Lions, who boasted strong season-long numbers but struggled with week-to-week consistency—an issue head coach Dan Campbell attempted to remedy by taking over play-calling duties midway through the 2025 season.
At just 38, Petzing brings a diverse and unconventional coaching résumé. He began as a student assistant at Harvard in 2009 before stints at Boston College and Yale, eventually earning an NFL internship with the Cleveland Browns in 2013. His professional rise continued with the Minnesota Vikings, where he coached wide receivers and quarterbacks from 2016 to 2019, followed by additional quarterback and tight end roles with Cleveland. In 2023, he took over play-calling duties in Arizona under head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was later dismissed following a 3–14 season in 2025.
Results in Arizona were uneven, largely due to injuries and roster instability. During the 2025 season, the Cardinals ranked 23rd in scoring and 26th in passing, with quarterback Kyler Murray limited to just five games and running back James Conner sidelined after three. Veteran Jacoby Brissett was forced into extended duty, frequently carrying a heavy passing load. Still, Petzing found ways to adapt, most notably turning tight end Trey McBride into a centerpiece of the offense. McBride set a franchise record with 126 receptions, underscoring Petzing’s ability to maximize his personnel.
Earlier seasons offered a clearer glimpse of Petzing’s upside. The Cardinals fielded a top-five rushing attack in both 2023 and 2024, finishing second league-wide in 2024 at 5.3 yards per carry. That season, Arizona ranked 12th in scoring and 14th in passing, while Conner posted the only two 1,000-yard rushing campaigns of his career under Petzing’s guidance.
For Detroit, the hire reflects a targeted effort to fix a glaring flaw. Despite finishing fourth in scoring and fifth in total offense in 2025, the Lions repeatedly failed to control games on the ground. They were held under 100 rushing yards in seven losses, a shortcoming that ultimately derailed their postseason hopes.
Petzing now inherits an offense loaded with elite talent, including quarterback Jared Goff, All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, dynamic back Jahmyr Gibbs, and explosive wideout Jameson Williams, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. The unit is anchored by Pro Bowl right tackle Penei Sewell, giving Petzing the foundation to implement the kind of physical, run-driven identity that defined his best years in Arizona.
