Breaking: The Detroit Lions are finalizing a deal to hire Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. My reporting confirms the sides are working through final details today. An announcement is expected soon. This is a bold, physical choice that fits Dan Campbell’s vision and the roster Detroit has built.
The Deal, The Vision, The Fit
Petzing is the former offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. He built a run heavy, play action attack that helped steady the team while Kyler Murray returned to the field. Before Arizona, he worked in Cleveland and Minnesota with Kevin Stefanski. That tree prizes balance, efficiency, and smart quarterback play.
Detroit wants the same thing. The Lions win at the line and punish teams on the ground. Then they hit you over the top. Petzing’s playbook mirrors that identity. His approach is teacher first, scheme second. That is a match with Campbell’s culture.
Petzing leans into play action, under center snaps, and multiple tight end sets. Expect heavy motion and defined reads.
What His Scheme Means In Detroit
Petzing’s core is simple. Run the ball with intent. Dress it up with motions and shifts. Build play action that looks the same as the run. Stress linebackers. Create easy throws for the quarterback.
That starts with the Lions’ line. Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow are tone setters. Taylor Decker is steady on the edge. This line can run it in gap or zone. Petzing will use both. He likes tight splits, hard doubles, and angles that let backs press and cut.
In the pass game, he favors clean pictures. Boot action. Half roll. Crossers and deep overs. Shot plays come off the same run looks. It is not flashy for the sake of it. It is ruthless in how it repeats and punishes.
Under Center, Then Attack
Under center snaps help the run game and the fake. They also help timing. Petzing has leaned on that structure in every stop. It slows defensive ends. It makes second level defenders guess. That is where chunk plays live.
Tight Ends Matter Here
Detroit already leans on the tight end. Petzing takes that further. He uses tight ends as blockers and mismatch pieces. He will live in two tight end sets, then motion into space. That keeps defenses in heavier bodies and opens grass.
[IMAGE_2]
The Jared Goff Factor
This hire speaks to Jared Goff. Goff is at his best with play action and rhythm. Give him a strong run game, a firm pocket, and defined reads, and he dices defenses. Petzing’s history is built on making that life easy for the quarterback.
In Cleveland, he helped guide Jacoby Brissett to efficient football in a tough stretch. In Arizona, he handled a midseason quarterback change and still kept the run game humming. He protects the ball, then picks his spots. That will be the charge here.
Expect fewer empty sets, more motion to ID coverage, and clear early down shots off run looks. 🏈
How It Changes Sundays
This is where you feel it on the field:
- Goff: More under center, more boots, quicker answers on third down.
- Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery: Split the load, hit different entry points, stay fresh late.
- Sam LaPorta: Featured in play action, screens, and seams, plus dirty work in the run game.
- The offensive line: More downhill doubles, more control of pace, less chaos in protection.
Tempo will shift by situation. Petzing likes to huddle, then hit you with motion and misdirection. When he speeds up, it is to trap a defense in personnel. He will probe early, then hammer what breaks.
Culture Check, Next Steps
This is as much about fit as it is about plays. Campbell demands toughness, clarity, and buy in. Petzing brings a teacher’s tone. He is detailed, especially in the red zone and two minute. He will stress ball security. He will make stars of role players on a given week. That is how playoff teams win in January.
The next step is staff alignment. Look for continuity in the run game room and the pass game install. The early focus will be language, protections, and timing. The playbook will look familiar, but the sequencing and window dressing will change. That should help Detroit stay one step ahead of the scouting report.
Detroit is not chasing identity. It is doubling down on it. Petzing gives the Lions a clear map, from the first snap to the final drive. The pieces are there. The plan fits. Now it is about the work.
