Drew Petzing. Michael Chow / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lions and Dan Campbell hire new play-caller in Drew Petzing

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 7:19 PM ET

Dan Campbell took over the play-calling duties from John Morton this past season. Campbell demoted Morton in-season and ultimately fired him at the end of this campaign.

It was painfully obvious that Campbell, for as great a coach as he has been for the Detroit Lions, struggled with being the "CEO" of the team as head coach while also calling plays during games, though.

The idea in Detroit was that he was going to hire someone who could take over those duties to be his next offensive coordinator, and it sounds like the Lions have gotten their guy.

That would be former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

It was announced on Monday that the Lions are hiring Petzing.

Sources: The Detroit Lions are working to finalize a deal to hire former Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as their next offensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/yBRs33V7LA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2026

This is an interesting hire by the Lions, to say the least.

Drew Petzing's offense with Arizona Cardinals was a bit underwhelming

This is an offense that has all the pieces to be the very best in the league, but Petzing's offenses the last three seasons in Arizona have been a bit suspect.

This past season, the Cardinals were ranked 19th in the NFL in yards per game average (325.8) and 325.8 and 23rd in points per game at just 20.9.

In 2024, things were a bit better at 358.2 yards and 23.5 points per game, but in 2023, Petzing's offense averaged just 324.1 yards and just 19.4 points per game.

The head coach he worked under, Jonathan Gannon, was fired at the end of this past season by the Cardinals.

Campbell and the brain trust in Detroit must have really liked something that Petzing brought to the table, though. He clearly interviewed well, because the Lions talked to a lot of candidates.

That's a list that included former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, former New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka, Seattle Seahawks passing game coordinator Jake Peetz, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: