Campbell praises new OC Petzing's early impact on Lions offense

Head coach says Petzing's versatile, matchup-focused approach has been a smooth fit so far in Detroit.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:30pm

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed his excitement about the early impact of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who joined the team after three seasons in the same role with the Arizona Cardinals. Campbell highlighted Petzing's creative, matchup-driven offensive philosophy and his ability to adapt his scheme to the personnel, even in the face of injuries. The Lions are returning several Pro Bowl offensive talents, and Campbell believes Petzing is the right fit to maximize that group.

Why it matters

The Lions had one of the most productive offenses in the NFL last season, and maintaining that level of performance will be crucial as they look to build on their playoff appearance. Petzing's reputation as a versatile, forward-thinking play-caller makes him an intriguing hire, and his early rapport with Campbell suggests a smooth transition for the Lions' offense.

The details

Petzing joins the Lions after spending the previous three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. During his time in Arizona, the Cardinals ranked second in the NFL in rushing average and ninth in rushing yards. Petzing was praised for his ability to adapt his offense to the personnel, utilizing more 12 and 13 personnel packages to create favorable matchups when the Cardinals dealt with injuries. This included a breakout season from tight end Trey McBride, who set the single-season receptions record for the position.

  • Petzing was hired as the Lions' new offensive coordinator in January 2026, following the departure of John Morton.
  • Campbell and Petzing first connected at the NFL's Annual League Meetings in April 2026, where Campbell discussed Petzing's early impact on the team.

The players

Dan Campbell

The head coach of the Detroit Lions, who hired Drew Petzing as the team's new offensive coordinator.

Drew Petzing

The new offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, who previously held the same role with the Arizona Cardinals for the past three seasons.

Trey McBride

The All-Pro tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, who thrived in Petzing's offense, setting the single-season receptions record for the position.

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What they’re saying

“The first thing that drew me to him was his tape. Anytime we had crossover tape I love what they did offensively. I loved the fact that when you really watch his tape, he's about the matchups, man, and he's finding them wherever he can find them.”

— Dan Campbell, Head Coach, Detroit Lions

“They had some injuries. They were limited in some areas. And I thought he maximized what they had and what they did.”

— Dan Campbell, Head Coach, Detroit Lions

“Nothing throws him off. He's ready to adapt and adjust to whatever you want and whatever you need. 'We're going to make it work. We're going to maximize this.' He's been great, man. He's been good.”

— Dan Campbell, Head Coach, Detroit Lions

What’s next

The Lions will continue to work with Petzing throughout the offseason to integrate his offensive philosophy and maximize the team's talented roster.

The takeaway

Petzing's reputation as a versatile, creative offensive coordinator who can adapt his scheme to the available personnel makes him an intriguing hire for the Lions. His early rapport with head coach Dan Campbell suggests a smooth transition, and the Lions' talented offense should provide Petzing with the tools to succeed in Detroit.