John Morton’s run as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator never really caught fire, and the fit looked awkward enough that the team moved on quickly. Now, Detroit is betting on Drew Petzing to bring the offense back to something closer to its best self.
That hire has already been singled out as the Lions’ most intriguing offseason move ahead of training camp. The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy pointed to Petzing as the most interesting addition, writing, "Factoring in his experience coaching different positions (QBs, WRs and TEs), his work with play-action, his creativity in the running game and his easygoing personality, it’s easy to see why head coach Dan Campbell went with Petzing. But after John Morton flopped, Campbell needs to nail this hire"
Morton had a tough hand to play, at least to a point. Detroit’s offensive line was in rough shape heading into 2026 after Frank Ragnow’s sudden retirement and Graham Glasgow’s move to center, a spot where he had not been as effective as he was at guard. Taylor Decker also appeared to have lost a step or two last season, which only made the situation harder.
Even with those issues, the offense didn’t completely collapse. It was still dangerous. The bigger problem was that the defense didn’t do enough to keep games from getting messy.
What stood out most under Morton, though, was how the offense used its playmakers. Players like Jameson Williams and David Montgomery saw a noticeable drop in involvement during the 2025 season, and that may have been part of the reason Montgomery was eventually traded to the Houston Texans.
Petzing is expected to bring a different approach. He has shown a clear willingness to lean on the run game, and his recent work with the Arizona Cardinals backs that up. Over the last three seasons, Arizona ranked second in explosive rush rate and seventh in offensive rushing success rate.
That profile fits what Detroit appears to want this season: a return to basics. The Lions want to build around Jahmyr Gibbs, feed Amon-Ra St.
Brown, and keep creating explosive moments with Jared Goff and Williams. If Petzing can make that formula hum, Detroit’s newest addition may end up being the most important one of all.
In Other News...
Former Lions CB Terrion Arnold May Not Wait Long To Land
Terrion Arnolds next stop could come together quickly after the former Lions cornerback cleared waivers and became free to sign with any NFL team. His release has already pushed him into a market where teams are looking for secondary help, and his camp says the phone has started to ring.
Among the clubs that could make sense are the Jets, where a reunion with Aaron Glenn would be the obvious hook, along with the Chiefs, who could use more depth in the back end, and the Buccaneers, who still have questions to sort out in their secondary. For Arnold, the path to a new opportunity appears open, and the only real question now is which team moves fastest. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Roster Rankings Show Who May Already Be Slipping Away
A batch of young Lions and recent additions are already finding themselves on the roster bubble as Detroits 2026 projections start to take shape. In a staff ranking that slots players from 70 to 61, the focus is less on who is locked in and more on who could still carve out a role, whether through special teams, depth value or a strong summer that changes the conversation.
Luke Altmyer, Anthony Lucas and Colby Sorsdal are among the names drawing attention because each brings a different kind of intrigue, but also a clear path problem. Altmyer has the arm talent and poise to keep scouts interested, Lucas arrives with the kind of upside that can make an undrafted player hard to ignore, and Sorsdal is trying to find his way at tackle while facing a crowded room, which is exactly the kind of competition that can turn a projected depth piece into an afterthought before camp even settles in. [Read more 🡒]
This Lions Addition Could Quietly Change Everything In The Secondary
Roger McCrearys arrival in Detroit gives the Lions another layer of flexibility at cornerback at a time when the secondary is still sorting itself out. Signed to a one-year deal, McCreary brings experience inside and outside, which matters for a team that has been looking for dependable answers after Terrion Arnolds release opened up more opportunity in the defensive backfield.
The appeal is obvious for Detroit: McCreary has already shown he can handle different assignments and stay productive in the NFL, making him a natural fit to compete for a meaningful role right away. He is in the mix for one of the open starting jobs, and while the Lions have other options on the roster, this is the kind of addition that could quietly reshape how the defense lines up once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]