The Detroit Lions have made their first major coaching move of the offseason, hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. It’s a name that didn’t exactly dominate the rumor mill, but it’s a move that says a lot about what the Lions value heading into 2026.
Petzing, 38, comes over from Arizona, where he held the offensive coordinator role under Jonathan Gannon before the Cardinals cleaned house at the end of the season. Prior to that, he worked closely with Kevin Stefanski in both Minnesota and Cleveland, giving him a solid background in systems built on balance and efficiency-two traits Detroit is clearly hoping to prioritize.
Let’s break down what Petzing brings to the table, starting with the passing game during his time in Arizona.
Passing Game: Volume Without the Fireworks
From 2023 to 2025, the Cardinals were sixth in the league in pass attempts, so they weren’t shy about putting the ball in the air. But volume didn’t translate to high-end production.
Arizona ranked 19th in passing yards, 22nd in touchdown percentage, and 25th in both yards per attempt and adjusted net yards per attempt (ANY/A). Simply put, they were throwing a lot, but not pushing the ball downfield effectively.
The one area where Petzing’s offense stood out was ball security. The Cardinals finished 12th in interception percentage and 11th in completion rate. That tells us the offense leaned heavily on short, quick throws designed to minimize risk-an approach that helped keep the chains moving but rarely lit up the scoreboard.
That might not sound thrilling, but it does offer a clue as to why Detroit was interested. With Jared Goff at quarterback, the Lions have leaned into a timing-based passing game that emphasizes rhythm and decision-making over improvisation. Petzing’s system could complement that approach, especially if the Lions are looking to tighten up their short-to-intermediate passing game.
Run Game: Efficiency Over Volume
Here’s where things get interesting. Despite ranking just 25th in rushing attempts over the past three seasons, the Cardinals finished ninth in rushing yards and second in yards per carry. That’s a big-time efficiency mark, and it’s likely the stat that caught Detroit’s eye.
But there’s important context here: a significant chunk of that production came from quarterback Kyler Murray, who ran for 989 yards on 151 carries under Petzing-an eye-popping 6.5 yards per attempt. By comparison, James Conner, the team’s lead back, averaged 4.7 yards per carry, while Michael Carter posted 4.1.
When you isolate just the running backs, the Cardinals still held their own. Since 2023, their running backs have averaged 4.6 yards per carry-good enough to rank sixth in the NFL over that span, just behind teams like the Dolphins, Eagles, and Lions themselves.
That’s not nothing. It shows Petzing can scheme up a run game that gets production even without a dominant offensive line or a heavy workload. And while Detroit won’t have a mobile quarterback like Murray, they do have a physical offensive line and a one-two punch in the backfield that can thrive in a well-designed system.
Why This Hire Makes Sense for Detroit
The Lions have been one of the league’s better rushing teams in recent years, thanks in large part to their offensive line and the emergence of a strong backfield led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. With Ben Johnson departing to take over as head coach of the Bears, and John Morton dismissed after a short stint as OC, Dan Campbell needed someone who could keep the ground game humming while bringing stability to the offensive staff.
Petzing fits that mold. His offenses in Arizona weren’t flashy, but they were disciplined, efficient, and smart with the football. That aligns with the identity Campbell has built in Detroit-tough, physical, and methodical.
Sure, there are questions. Petzing’s passing game didn’t exactly light it up in Arizona, and he won’t have the luxury of a dual-threat quarterback in Detroit. But he will have a better offensive line, a more complete roster, and a head coach who knows exactly what kind of football he wants to play.
This isn’t a splashy hire, but it might be a savvy one. If Petzing can elevate Detroit’s run game from good to great and help Goff stay on schedule in the passing attack, the Lions could find themselves right back in the playoff hunt with a balanced, efficient offense that’s built to last.
Time will tell, but for now, it’s clear the Lions are betting on substance over sizzle-and that’s a bet that fits the identity they’ve worked hard to build.