The Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator position looked to be one of the most sought-after roles available in the league. The team filled it on Monday afternoon with the hiring of former Arizona Cardinals play-caller Drew Petzing. The move signals a clear commitment to maintaining Detroit’s physical, run-first identity, rather than chasing a schematic overhaul.
Still, given the Lions’ recent offensive success and Petzing’s uneven final season in Arizona, the hire was always likely to invite scrutiny.
Why Dan Orlovsky Believes Drew Petzing Fits the Detroit Lions’ Identity
The immediate reaction from fans is underwhelming at best. Still, former Lions QB and NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky appears content with the fit.
Petzing ran a run-heavy offense for three years with the Cardinals. James Conner had his best seasons under Petzing, while leading the way for TE Trey McBride’s breakout. That gels with what the Lions have been doing during that time, which Orlovsky implies makes the fit work.
Orlovsky, a seven-year NFL veteran who spent three seasons with Detroit over two separate stints, didn’t expand much outside of that single tweet. While the fit may work, his silence and lack of enthusiasm imply this may not have been his preferred choice among available options. Fans in the replies echo a similar sentiment.
Orlovsky wrote on X, “Really good in the run game. Tight ends are a premium position. Play action game is solid as well.”
Really good in the run game. Tight ends are a premium position.
Play action game is solid as well. https://t.co/CDIkvxOarS— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 19, 2026
While many aren’t content with what Petzing did in 2025, the ecosystem in Arizona wasn’t built for that style of game plan after injuries shredded their playmakers behind an already struggling offensive line.
The PFSN NFL Offensive Impact Metric graded the Cardinals’ offense at 71.4, 22nd in the league. The resurgence of Jacoby Brissett and Michael Wilson made way for a productive offense. However, it still lacked the efficiency and red-zone scoring to break into the league’s upper half.
This does come after a successful 2024 season in which the Cardinals ranked 5th overall in Offensive Impact, led by an incredibly successful run game.
James Conner and Trey Benson both averaged 4.6 yards per carry, combining for 1,300+ yards and nine touchdowns. In comparison, Kyler Murray had a fine year with 3,800 yards passing and 21 touchdowns, while adding 500 yards and five touchdowns rushing as well.
While that capability does speak to why Lions head coach Dan Campbell may have liked Petzing, others are worried that the Cardinals’ offensive line coach, Klayton Adams, may have had as much, if not more, to do with that success. Adams left for the offensive coordinator role in Dallas last, where he revitalized Javonte Williams with a career year.
At the same time, Arizona fell off hard in 2025, leading to the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon, and making Petzing available for hire.
The Lions offer a far stronger infrastructure for Petzing to work with, which must be why Campbell was content to hand over his offense to him. With Jacoby Brissett throwing for 3,366 yards in 14 games, Jared Goff should be in good enough hands to recreate some of his prior success.
With both Michael Wilson and Trey McBride going supernova without Marvin Harrison Jr, there’s reason to believe Petzing can do the same for Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, known quantities that have already broken out.
Petzing will be the fourth offensive coordinator Campbell has hired as the Lions’ head coach, following Anthony Lynn, Ben Johnson, and John Morton. Detroit looks to rebound after missing the playoffs in 2025, coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, including a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
Whether the Lions return to grace with Petzing leading the offense alongside Goff, or we get more of the worst from the last Cardinals stint, remains to be seen. We should find out rather quickly, given that the Lions compete in a stacked NFC North, allowing little room for error as they seek their first championship.
