Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has expressed strong support for the team’s new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, calling the hiring a major success. Although Petzing has yet to meet with local media since his appointment, Goff’s comments came during Pro Bowl interviews in San Francisco, highlighting the optimism surrounding Petzing’s role in shaping the Lions’ offense for the upcoming season.
Background on Drew Petzing’s Role and Experience
Drew Petzing succeeds John Morton, who served as the Lions’ offensive coordinator for one season. Petzing is expected to assume responsibility for offensive play-calling in 2026, a role previously held by head coach Dan Campbell. Before joining Detroit, Petzing spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, where he was praised for his run game strategy and the production he drew from tight ends.
Though the Cardinals’ offense struggled somewhat in 2025—largely due to injuries to crucial players including the starting quarterback and top wide receiver—Petzing’s earlier seasons showed significant success, particularly in rushing efficiency and offensive versatility.
Detroit’s Offensive Assets and Challenges Awaiting Petzing
In Detroit, Petzing will oversee a more established offensive roster, led by franchise quarterback Jared Goff. The team boasts key players such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, tight end Sam LaPorta, and cornerstone offensive tackle Penei Sewell. However, the offensive line needs rebuilding after a disappointing performance last year, presenting one of Petzing’s early challenges in maximizing this talented unit’s potential.
Goff noted the positive feedback he has gathered about Petzing’s coaching style from other players and former quarterbacks who worked with him, fueling his eagerness to collaborate with the new coordinator.
Jared Goff Praises Petzing’s Versatility and Player-Centered Approach
“Everyone I’ve spoken to about him (Petzing) prior to him being hired was glowing,”
Goff said, according to the Detroit Free Press.
“In particular, quarterbacks who have played for him were glowing. I think the thing that excites me the most is going to be his versatility. He’s not tied to an offense. We’re going to kind of run what we’re best at and what we should be doing, which, some of the stuff we’ve done the last few years, that’s worked.”
Despite the Lions maintaining a top-five scoring offense for four consecutive years, inconsistencies in the run game, a weakened offensive line, and a less explosive passing attack hampered their overall effectiveness. Petzing’s history with the Cardinals, where he ranked second in rushing yards per attempt in his first two years, reveals the type of ground game Detroit hopes to revive under his direction.
Petzing’s Strategic Fit with Detroit’s Offensive Personnel
Petzing utilized jumbo formations more than any other NFL offense during his tenure in Arizona, enhancing the rushing attack—a style well-suited to the Lions’ current roster. Goff recognizes the complexity of managing multiple high-caliber playmakers but trusts Petzing’s ability to foster cohesion through his personality and coaching methods.
Goff’s involvement in the hiring process echoes his previous productive relationship with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who helped unlock Detroit’s offensive potential in years past.
Early Interactions and Outlook for Offensive Evolution
So far, Goff has had only brief conversations with Petzing but anticipates a gradual evolution rather than an overhaul of the existing offense. Changes in terminology and some concepts are expected, yet Goff is confident the team will adapt well.
“It’s always a reconstruction process to some degree,”
Goff commented. Additionally, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown mentioned he spoke with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride about Petzing, who praised the new coordinator as
“smart, detailed and someone the players loved.”
“I think he (Petzing) speaks every language, and that’s kind of the good thing,”
Goff added.
“He understands what we’re saying from a pass-game standpoint and how we want to do things and how he wants to do things. By no means is he going to be running our stuff. We’re running his offense. But there’s going to certainly be a blend of what I like, what he likes, what Saint (St. Brown) likes, what Jamo likes — and everybody.”
Implications for Detroit’s Offensive Prospects in 2026 and Beyond
The hiring of Drew Petzing is viewed by many within the Lions organization as a pivotal move to elevate an offense that showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency last season. With a capable quarterback in Jared Goff and a receiving corps loaded with talent, Petzing’s adaptability and prior success in running a dynamic offense offer hope for improvements, particularly in the running game and offensive line execution.
As preparations move toward the scouting combine and offseason training, the Lions anticipate that Petzing’s influence will blend existing strengths with fresh ideas, potentially transforming the team’s offensive identity. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how this collaboration unfolds during the season ahead.
