The Detroit Lions' coaching staff experienced an important change this offseason with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, replacing John Morton who was relieved of his duties after the 2025 season. While such transitions often bring uncertainty, Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been effusive in his praise of Petzing's early months with the team.
Speaking at the NFL's Annual League Meetings in late March 2026, Campbell offered a positive assessment of Petzing's smooth assimilation and work ethic. Campbell said, "He's been great."
"It's been smooth," Campbell continued, according to the Lions' official website. "It's been really good. He's fit in really well with the staff. He's a grinder, man. He's detailed, he's organized, he's a good communicator. And I think he's going to work well with Jared [Goff]."
Campbell's endorsement is significant as it comes at a time when the Lions' offense is positioned not for a rebuild but to build on a successful 2025 campaign in which Detroit advanced to the NFC Championship Game. Petzing isn't tasked with overhauling the offense from scratch but rather to adapt and enhance the system around quarterback Jared Goff and the team's strong offensive line.
The qualities Campbell highlighted--grind, detail orientation, organization, and communication--are foundational for an effective NFL offensive coordinator. The seamless transition within the Lions' staff underlines Petzing's professionalism and ability to rapidly assimilate complex schemes. His ability to connect with the players, particularly Goff, is essential for continued success.
The relationship between a quarterback and offensive coordinator is pivotal to an offense's efficiency. Campbell's confidence that Petzing will "work well with Jared" signals that the two have begun to develop the vital rapport needed to maximize game-day execution. Goff, coming off a standout season, requires a coordinator who complements his style and puts him in optimal positions to succeed, a challenge Petzing appears ready to meet.
For Lions fans, the stability and positive momentum underscored by Campbell are encouraging. After a deep playoff run, it's natural to question whether the team can sustain or improve its level of play amid coaching staff changes and rising expectations. Campbell's public approval of Petzing suggests the offense will remain in capable hands, allowing focus to remain on player development and tactical refinement.
Of course, all praise must eventually be tested on the field. While organizational skills and communication shine in offseason meetings and OTA practices, the true measure of Petzing's impact will emerge under the bright lights at Ford Field during the 2026 season. Nonetheless, the solid foundation being laid now bodes well for Detroit's approach.
The Lions' offensive identity is characterized by a balanced attack, physicality, and efficiency, traits shaped largely by personnel like Goff and their star offensive line. Petzing's role will be to inject fresh ideas to keep defenses off balance while retaining the strengths that drove Detroit's success last year. His previous experience as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator, where his offenses ranked highly in overall efficiency, indicates he values versatility and adaptability--qualities that fit the Lions' championship aspirations.
Drew Petzing's hiring in late January 2026 was a headline offseason move for Detroit. Now, Campbell's early and positive remarks transform that headline into a promising chapter as the Lions prepare for the challenges ahead. "He's been great" may sound simple, but in the complex ecosystem of the NFL, it signals high professionalism, trust, and readiness to maintain and build upon recent success.
As Detroit Lions fans look ahead to the 2026 campaign, the early reports on their new offensive coordinator offer a reassuring narrative. The grind that Campbell praises has begun, and so far, it's gearing up to be a perfect start for Petzing and the team's offense.