Imagine a quarterback praising his new offensive coordinator as a "grand slam" hire—that's exactly what Jared Goff said about Drew Petzing, the Lions' latest addition to their coaching staff. But here's where it gets intriguing: despite the Lions having their third offensive coordinator in as many years, Goff isn't batting an eye. Instead, he's doubling down on his optimism, and here’s why.
Drew Petzing, formerly of the Cardinals, steps into the role with a reputation that precedes him. Goff shared on Monday that quarterbacks who’ve worked with Petzing were effusive in their praise, highlighting his proven track record as a coordinator and play-caller. "He’s done it before, and he’s done it well," Goff emphasized, via NFL.com. "This feels like a home run hire, and I’m genuinely excited to see what we can accomplish together."
Now, let’s rewind a bit. The Lions' offensive coordinator carousel has been in full swing. John Morton took the reins after Ben Johnson left to become the Bears' head coach in January 2025, but his play-calling duties were eventually handed over to head coach Dan Campbell mid-season. Despite finishing fourth in the league in points scored, the offense lacked the consistency needed to propel the team back into the postseason. And this is the part most people miss: it wasn’t about talent—the Lions had the players and the tools. It was about execution and maintaining a high standard, something Goff is eager to see return.
"Consistency and efficiency—that’s the name of the game," Goff explained. "In our best seasons, when we were winning 12, 15 games, everything just clicked. Sure, bad plays and series happen, but it’s about bouncing back quickly. We’ve got the roster, we’ve got the resources. Now, it’s about raising our level of execution and sticking to it."
Here’s the controversial take: If the Lions don’t turn things around in 2026, the changes in Detroit could be far more drastic than this offseason’s shuffle. Petzing’s success isn’t just a hope—it’s a necessity. But is one coordinator the missing piece, or is the issue deeper? What do you think? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—is Petzing the solution, or is there more to the story?
