The Detroit Lions are close to hiring Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. This move comes after the team let go of John Morton following a single season in that role. Last year, the Lions ended with a 9-8 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Petzing, 38, previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. He worked with head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was also dismissed after the season wrapped up. The Lions are looking for Petzing to take charge of playcalling, an area they’ve been focused on improving.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has indicated he’s ready to hand over playcalling duties. He had taken over after Morton struggled to establish a strong offensive identity. Despite the Lions ranking high in scoring, averaging 28.3 points per game, they appeared to rely heavily on big plays instead of a balanced attack, even with stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs on the roster.
Citing the need for strong leadership, Lions general manager Brad Holmes emphasized that having a thorough, detail-oriented approach was crucial in their search for a new coordinator. He noted in a recent statement, “You need someone who can dot every ‘I’ and cross every ‘T,’ ensuring that nothing is overlooked from planning to execution.”
In 2024, the Lions soared to an impressive 33.2 points per game under former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who took the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears. Fans are hopeful that Petzing can recreate that offensive success.
Experts in sports management have pointed out that stability in coaching can lead to better team performance. According to a survey by the National Football League Coaches Association, teams that maintain a consistent coaching staff for at least three seasons tend to have higher win rates.
As the hiring unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Petzing influences the Lions’ strategy and overall performance in the coming season. Keeping an eye on social media reactions could provide insights into how fans perceive this change in leadership as the excitement builds for the next chapter of Lions football.
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