Drew Petzing Takes the Helm of Detroit Lions' Offense
In a move that caught many NFL observers by surprise, the Detroit Lions have announced the hiring of Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator for the 2026 season. Petzing, who most recently served in the same capacity with the Arizona Cardinals, brings a wealth of offensive coaching experience to the Lions, although his name wasn't prominently mentioned during the team's interview process.
A Steady Climb Through the Coaching Ranks
At just 38 years old, Petzing has already established a solid reputation in the coaching world through a steady and methodical ascent through the ranks. His journey began in 2009 at Harvard University, where he served as a volunteer assistant coach. After a brief stint at Boston College the following year, Petzing made his transition to the NFL in 2013, joining the Cleveland Browns as an intern under then-head coach Mike Pettine.
Early NFL Experience with the Vikings and Browns
His career truly began to gain traction in 2014 when he joined the Minnesota Vikings' coaching staff under head coach Mike Zimmer. Over the next six seasons, Petzing worked his way up the organizational chart, starting as an offensive assistant and eventually landing the role of wide receivers coach by 2019. This period provided him with invaluable experience, working alongside several future head coaches and offensive coordinators in the league.
In 2020, Petzing returned to the Cleveland Browns, rejoining the staff of head coach Kevin Stefanski. During his three-year tenure with the Browns (2020-2022), he worked closely with both tight ends and quarterbacks, further broadening his understanding of multiple position groups and contributing to the team's offensive development during a period of significant growth for the franchise.
Arizona Cardinals Offensive Coordinator
The natural next step in Petzing's career came in 2023 when he was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as their offensive coordinator. He held this position through the 2025 season, a tenure marked by fluctuation in offensive performance, often directly tied to quarterback availability and significant roster turnover within the organization.
Statistical Performance in Arizona
During Petzing's three seasons in Arizona, the team's offensive performance saw considerable variation. The Cardinals finished 24th in scoring in 2023, showed improvement by ranking 12th in 2024, but regressed to 23rd in 2025. The team's best offensive season under Petzing's guidance occurred in 2024, when the Cardinals averaged 23.5 points per game and ranked 11th in total offense at 358 yards per contest. Notably, this was also the season that coincided with Kyler Murray's last fully healthy campaign, suggesting that Petzing possesses the ability to maximize his quarterback's potential when personnel remains stable.
Emphasis on the Ground Game
Statistically, Petzing's offenses have consistently demonstrated a clear identity on the ground. The Cardinals ranked fourth in rushing yards in 2023 and seventh in 2024, finishing second in yards per carry both seasons. Arizona averaged 5.0 yards per rush in 2023 and an impressive 5.3 in 2024. EPA (Expected Points Added) metrics further supported this trend, with Petzing's rushing offenses ranking 29th in 2023 before jumping to eighth in 2024 and seventh in 2025.
Passing efficiency, however, proved to be more uneven. Arizona finished 20th, 12th, and 27th in EPA per dropback during Petzing's three seasons, reflecting inconsistency in quarterback play and protection schemes.
Player Development: The Trey McBride Impact
One of Petzing's most notable accomplishments during his time in Arizona was the development of tight end Trey McBride. Under Petzing's guidance, McBride emerged as one of the NFL's premier tight ends, showcasing his ability to effectively coach and nurture young talent at the position.
Connections and Philosophical Continuity
While Petzing does not have a direct coaching connection to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, he does share strong ties with former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The two coached together at Boston College in the early stages of their careers and maintain a close personal relationship. This connection could prove instrumental in ensuring philosophical continuity in Detroit's offense, despite the change at the coordinator position.
Seeking Stability and Growth in Detroit
The Detroit Lions enter the 2026 season seeking stability and continued growth after yet another change at the offensive coordinator position. With the departure of Shanon Robinson, Detroit is betting that Petzing's balanced approach, demonstrated success with rushing attacks, and experience developing young talent will translate into sustained production for the team's offense. The Lions will be looking to Petzing to build upon the foundation laid by previous coordinators and elevate the team's offensive capabilities to a new level.
Only time will tell if Petzing's arrival in Detroit marks the beginning of a new era of offensive excellence for the Lions, but his track record and reputation suggest that he is a coach capable of making a significant impact at the highest level of the sport.
