The Detroit Lions have found their new offensive coordinator - and it’s a name with real NFL play-calling experience. Drew Petzing, fresh off a season running the offense in Arizona, is headed to Detroit to take over the reins from John Morton, who lasted just one year in the role. The move signals a reset on offense as head coach Dan Campbell looks to recapture the spark that left with Ben Johnson.
Let’s be clear: this is a pivotal hire. The Lions are in the thick of a competitive window - one that won’t stay open forever.
After falling short in the playoffs two years in a row, including a tough Divisional Round exit last season, the urgency is real. Campbell said it himself after the 2024 NFC Championship loss: “This may have been our only shot.”
Whether that was emotion talking or a hard truth, the results since have added weight to his words.
Enter Petzing.
He arrives after a challenging year in Arizona, where he served as offensive coordinator under head coach Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals didn’t sniff the postseason, and much of the season was quarterbacked by Jacoby Brissett.
Still, there were flashes - and one in particular should have Detroit fans intrigued. Tight end Trey McBride exploded under Petzing’s system, setting the all-time single-season record for receptions by a tight end.
That’s no small feat, and it bodes well for Sam LaPorta, who’s already shown he can be a game-changer in Detroit’s offense.
The #Lions are hiring former #AZCardinals OC Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2026
An extensive search leads Dan Campbell to an experienced play-caller for his offense. pic.twitter.com/Q9bcQvDlkn
Petzing’s task won’t be easy, but he’s not walking into a rebuild. He inherits a unit with Jared Goff under center and a loaded cast of weapons around him. The Lions have the pieces - now it’s about putting them together in a way that consistently moves the chains and finishes drives.
Last season, the offense lacked the rhythm and creativity that defined the Ben Johnson era. Morton couldn’t quite replicate that magic, and the result was a team that came up just short of the postseason. Now, Petzing has a chance to rewrite that narrative.
The question is: can he learn from his Arizona experience and tailor his scheme to maximize Goff’s strengths? Can he unlock the full potential of this offense - especially with players like LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs ready to take the next step?
The Lions didn’t make this move lightly. This was the product of an extensive search, and Campbell ultimately landed on a play-caller with the kind of experience and upside that fits the moment.
Petzing has been in the fire. Now he gets another shot - this time with a roster built to win now.
The pressure’s on. The window is open. And with Petzing now in the driver’s seat, the Lions’ offense has a new voice - one that will need to deliver if Detroit wants to turn potential into postseason success.