Detroit Lions’ Drew Petzing hire makes no sense

The Detroit Lions arrived in 2025 with high expectations after back-to-back division titles and an offense that looked built for deep playoff runs. Instead, a string of injuries, staff turnover and uneven play left the team looking more vulnerable than many predicted.

As management cleans house and Dan Campbell looks to reset, one offseason decision in particular — the hire of Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator — has sparked debate among fans and analysts who expected a bolder move to restore the Lions’ offensive edge.

What went wrong in 2025 for the Lions’ offense

Detroit’s decline wasn’t the result of a single failure but a collection of setbacks that compounded over a long season. The offense dipped in scoring and lost the predictability and rhythm that had defined the team during its recent surge.

• Injuries: Key players missed time across the roster, disrupting continuity and limiting play-calling options.
• Coordinator turnover: Replacing trusted voices on both sides of the ball had an outsized impact on preparation and in-game adjustments.
• Fewer points per game: Detroit’s scoring average fell from the mid-30s to the high-20s, a measurable drop that translated into tighter margins and missed opportunities.

Ben Johnson’s departure and Chicago’s gain

When Ben Johnson left to become the Chicago Bears’ offensive play-caller, Detroit lost a steady hand in game design and play sequencing. Johnson’s system had become familiar to the Lions’ personnel, and his exit forced a shift in how plays were built and executed.

Immediate effects on the field

• Timing between quarterback and receivers loosened.
• Run-pass balance fluctuated as new schematics were phased in.
• Game-plan consistency suffered, especially on third downs and red-zone snaps.

Johnson’s early success with the Bears only magnified the sense that Detroit had lost a crucial piece of its offensive identity.

Why the Drew Petzing hire raises eyebrows

Drew Petzing arrives after three seasons running Arizona’s offense — a unit that produced middling results overall. That track record is fueling questions about fit and upside in Detroit, where expectations remain high.

• Across his tenure with the Cardinals, the offense ranked around the middle of the league in key efficiency metrics.
• Petzing’s best season leaned heavily on a dynamic rushing attack that benefitted from Kyler Murray’s dual-threat abilities — a skillset Detroit’s quarterback, Jared Goff, does not replicate.
• Many in the fanbase had hoped the Lions would pursue higher-profile options such as Mike McDaniel, making the eventual choice feel underwhelming to some observers.

The central concern is whether Petzing’s approach translates to a Jared Goff-led offense that needs structure, tempo control and play designs that maximize a high-priced receiving corps and a growing backfield like Jahmyr Gibbs.

How Petzing could succeed in Detroit

Despite skepticism, several factors could play in Petzing’s favor if the staff and roster align around his vision.

1. Leverage the running game: Detroit still boasts playmakers in the backfield; a creative ground scheme could open passing lanes.
2. Adapt play-calling to Goff: Prioritize quick reads, timing routes and high-percentage throws to rebuild confidence and cut turnovers.
3. Maximize personnel strengths: Integrate Jahmyr Gibbs’ explosiveness and, if re-signed, David Montgomery’s power to create a balanced offense.

Success will depend on Petzing’s ability to tailor schemes to the Lions’ players rather than importing a system designed around a different kind of quarterback.

What the Lions need from their next offensive coordinator

Whether Petzing becomes the right long-term solution or a bridge to another hire, the organization has clear priorities for whoever runs the offense:

• Proven ability to develop quarterback play and build trust in-game.
• Flexibility to game-plan against a variety of defensive looks.
• Track record of improving third-down efficiency and red-zone scoring.
• Comfort designing plays that fit a mobile backfield and a pocket passer in the same system.

Reasons for optimism despite a disappointing season

Even after a stumble, Detroit’s roster remains one of the NFL’s more talented groups. The Lions’ front office benefits from a favorable upcoming schedule — a fourth-place slate that should offer easier matchups — and a coaching staff led by a head coach who often gets the best out of teams labeled underdogs.

• Talent base: Weapons on offense and a promising core on defense give the next coordinator real tools to work with.
• Schedule advantage: A lighter slate in 2026 creates runway to test new concepts and regain momentum.
• Leadership: Dan Campbell’s ability to galvanize players could turn skepticism into focus and execution.

Key matchups and storylines to watch going into 2026

How Detroit integrates a new offensive philosophy, whether Gibbs and Montgomery form a complementary backfield, and how quickly Goff re-establishes consistent chemistry with his receivers will drive expectations next season. Fans and analysts will be watching play-calling tendencies, third-down conversions, and early-season results as barometers for the hire’s success.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.