The Detroit Lions are closing in on a new offensive coordinator, and it’s a name that brings both experience and upside: Drew Petzing, who most recently held the OC role with the Arizona Cardinals. While the deal isn’t official just yet, all signs point to Petzing taking over play-calling duties in Detroit for the 2026 season.
This move comes after a turbulent year for the Lions’ offense. John Morton, who was brought in to replace Ben Johnson, lasted just one season before being let go.
Despite the Lions finishing fourth in points scored in 2025, head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling midway through the season-a clear indication that the offense wasn’t running the way Detroit had envisioned. Now, with Petzing expected to take full control of the playbook, the Lions are betting on a fresh voice to bring balance and consistency to an offense with plenty of talent.
Petzing’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. He entered the NFL ranks back in 2013 as a football operations intern with the Cleveland Browns and has since worked his way up through a variety of offensive roles across the league. He joined the Cardinals in 2023 and served as their offensive coordinator through a period of transition and roster instability.
Let’s be real: Arizona’s offense under Petzing didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard this past season. They finished 23rd in EPA per play-a stat that essentially measures how efficient a team is on a per-snap basis.
But context matters. The Cardinals faced serious challenges at quarterback and other key positions, which made it tough for any coordinator to build sustained success.
Petzing’s 2024 season, however, showed what he can do when things are clicking. That year, Arizona ranked 10th in EPA/play and 12th in scoring-numbers that reflect a well-structured system capable of producing results.
What makes this hire intriguing for Detroit is the contrast between where Petzing has been and where he’s going. The Lions have a much more stable offensive core than what Petzing worked with in Arizona.
That includes a strong offensive line, a promising quarterback, and skill players who can stretch the field and grind out tough yards. With a more complete roster and a head coach who’s not afraid to make bold adjustments, Petzing steps into a situation where his playbook could truly take flight.
The Lions aren’t looking for a rebuild on offense-they’re looking for refinement. They’ve already shown they can score points, but the consistency and rhythm that defined the Ben Johnson era were missing last season. Petzing’s job will be to restore that flow, tailor the scheme to Detroit’s strengths, and help this team take the next step in a competitive NFC.
If he can tap into the version of his offense that showed up in Arizona in 2024, there’s real potential here. The Lions don’t need a miracle-they need someone who can maximize what’s already in place. Drew Petzing might just be that guy.