The Detroit Lions had an elongated search for their new offensive coordinator end abruptly this week, and a surprising name in Drew Petzing was revealed to be the franchise's choice for 2026.
Petzing has been around the NFL since coming into the league as an intern in 2013, and he has spent the last three years as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. While the Cardinals didn't have much success in terms of wins and losses, they have had an intriguing offense given what they have achieved with limited talent.
Petzing has a penchant for developing strong running games as well as emphasizing the tight end in his offense as part of the play action game. Those tactics should make the fit with Detroit seamless given their personnel. But it's hard to know what the Lions are getting personally with their new coach.
Fortunately, ESPN's Peter Schrager offered unique insight into Petzing. In 2023, he welcomed the Cardinals' offensive coordinator onto his podcast "The Season." Not only did Petzing speak about his rise in football, he explained a few of the bedrocks of teams he coaches.
"It's the effort and energy we play with. I think that's got to be our calling card. We have to outwork people. We have to out-effort people. We have to play with an energy and an enthusiasm that people aren't either capable or willing to match consistently regardless of score (and) regardless of outcome. I think that's what we want. To have the guys having fun playing football and going out there and enjoying what they're doing and doing it at a high level."
Those words make Petzing sound like a perfect match with the Lions. Since he arrived in 2021, Dan Campbell has emphasized energy, effort and toughness as well as grit. Petzing not only matches with Detroit in terms of scheme, but mindset. The Lions have played exactly like Petzing describes for the last few years.
While some might be questioning the move, looking below the surface, it's easy to see why the Lions liked Petzing. He's already a mesh with their coaching staff given their similar outlook on the game.
Schrager vouches for Petzing as a solid up and coming offensive mind
There have certainly been some folks in the media and the Detroit fanbase intrigued by Petzing, but for the most part, the move to hire him has been met with skepticism. Many expected the Lions to land a big name like Mike McDaniel, and when it didn't happen, panic set in.
Petzing, though, seems to be a philosophical mesh with the Lions in terms of scheme and personality. Schrager, having interacted with Petzing before, is surprised so many have come out against the move of Detroit to hire him to run their offense given how respected in the league he has become and how he could even be a future head coach.
Drew Petzing a widely respected young offensive coach. Legit HC buzz when he had a healthy starting QB. Surprised the hire is being "panned". Alas, I guess we will see.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 20, 2026
READ MORE: One player following Drew Petzing to Lions would make a trade painfully clear
In Detroit, Petzing will inherit a far better situation than he had in Arizona. The Lions have a top quarterback in Jared Goff, a star running back in Jahmyr Gibbs, a star wideout in Amon-Ra St. Brown and a rising star in Jameson Williams and a stud tight end in Sam LaPorta. Providing they can fix their offensive line woes, they are primed for a big rebound season in 2026.
More than half of the hiring equation is getting the right personality fit for the players and coaches. In their deep dive, the Lions have seen that fit in Petzing. Reading his philosophy, it makes plenty of sense why this would be the conclusion.