The Detroit Lions are making a pivotal move on the offensive side of the ball, hiring former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to take over play-calling duties. This comes after head coach Dan Campbell took the reins himself last season, stepping in mid-year to replace John Morton-who was later let go at season’s end.
While Campbell has built a strong reputation as a motivator and culture-setter in Detroit, juggling the responsibilities of head coach and offensive play-caller proved to be a tall order. The Lions’ offensive rhythm wasn’t quite what it needed to be, and Campbell’s decision to bring in a new coordinator signals a return to a more balanced leadership structure-one where he can focus on the big picture while entrusting the offense to a dedicated mind.
Enter Petzing, whose time in Arizona was a mixed bag in terms of production. Over the last three seasons, his offenses showed flashes but never quite broke through into elite territory.
In 2025, the Cardinals finished 19th in total yards per game (325.8) and 23rd in scoring (20.9 points per game). The year before saw modest improvement-358.2 yards and 23.5 points per game-but in 2023, they managed just 324.1 yards and 19.4 points per outing.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page, and with head coach Jonathan Gannon dismissed at the end of this past season, it’s fair to say that Arizona’s offensive identity never fully took shape. Still, Detroit clearly saw something in Petzing’s approach that aligned with their vision. The Lions cast a wide net in their search, interviewing a number of high-profile candidates including former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, ex-Giants interim Mike Kafka, Seahawks passing game coordinator Jake Peetz, Falcons OC Zac Robinson, and Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin.
That’s a strong list, and the fact that Petzing emerged as the choice suggests he brought something unique to the table-whether it was schematic insight, leadership acumen, or a compelling vision for how to elevate Detroit’s already-talented offense.
The Lions don’t lack for weapons. With a physical offensive line, a dynamic backfield, and ascending talent at receiver and tight end, this unit is built to do damage. The question now is whether Petzing can unlock the full potential of a group that’s been on the cusp of greatness.
For Campbell, this hire is about more than Xs and Os-it’s about setting the tone for the next phase of Detroit’s rise. If Petzing can bring creativity and consistency to the offense, while allowing Campbell to focus on game management and team leadership, the Lions could be gearing up for a serious run.
It’s a calculated move, and one that will be under the microscope from day one. But if it hits, Detroit’s offense might finally have the firepower-and the structure-to match its ambition.