Drew Petzing is the Lions' new offensive coordinator with a run-first focus

The Lions have hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who spent three seasons as an NFL OC and is associated with a physical, gap-based rushing approach and heavier tight-end usage.

Dan Campbell has hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as the Lions' new offensive coordinator. Petzing spent three seasons as Arizona's OC and previously held roles with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns. His Cardinals units ranked 22nd in points per game and 14th in yards per game during his tenure. The article highlights Petzing's reputation for a downhill, gap-based run game and frequent use of two- and three-tight-end personnel. Key facts: - The Lions completed a roughly two-week search and set to hire Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. - Arizona under Petzing ranked 22nd in points per game (21.3), 14th in yards per game (336) and 14th in EPA per play across his three seasons. - Petzing's offense posted a 40.9 percent offensive rushing success rate (seventh overall) in earlier seasons, with a noted drop in 2025 tied in the article to injuries and staff changes. - Petzing's coaching path includes early work at Harvard, Boston College and Yale, roles with the Vikings, and positions in Cleveland as tight ends coach and quarterbacks coach; he was named to The Athletic's 2025 50 under 40 list. - Scheme and personnel: Arizona ran more shotgun under Petzing (71.5% since 2023) versus the Lions' 52.2% in the Campbell era; the Cardinals used 11 personnel 53.7% of the time, 12 personnel 25.9%, and 13 personnel 12.5%, and used two-or-three tight ends on 38.4% of snaps across his OC tenure. - Key situational marks: third-down conversion rate ranked 12th under Petzing, fourth-down conversion rate ranked at or near the bottom, red-zone touchdown rate was 57.1% and goal-to-go touchdown rate was 80%. Summary: Petzing brings a scheme that emphasized a physical running attack, heavier tight-end usage and a mix of under-center and shotgun concepts. The article notes familiar coaching ties to members of the Lions staff and highlights injury- and personnel-related declines in Arizona's final season. Undetermined at this time.