Lions general manager Brad Holmes confirmed Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator, replacing Morton. While there was early speculation about pursuing former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Holmes opted to go with Petzing, citing his fit with the staff and his offensive philosophy. “Just very sharp, very open-minded, was able to fit in with the staff. It’s his offense. This is his show,” Holmes said, adding that Petzing’s approach is adaptable to the personnel available rather than a rigid system.
Detroit also added Mike Kafka to the offensive staff in an as-yet-undetermined role. Holmes described Kafka as a high-priority target in the process and expressed enthusiasm about adding him to the operation: “We were really high on Kafka, too,” he said, noting the potential impact alongside Petzing.
Petzing arrives in Detroit after three seasons as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, and his résumé includes prior work with the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings. In Arizona, he helped the Cardinals ranking second in rushing average (4.92) and ninth in rushing yards (6,399), underscoring a run-focused, personnel-driven approach that Holmes believes will translate well to the Lions.
Morton had signaled a willingness to remain with Detroit in some capacity, but Campbell and Holmes ultimately decided to move in a different direction. The Lions’ decision reflects a broader emphasis on tailoring the offense to the players on the roster rather than adhering to a fixed system.
Overall, the hire of Petzing, paired with Kafka’s addition, signals a strategic shift for Detroit’s offense. Holmes and Campbell appear committed to maximizing the personnel they have and building an offense that can adapt to varied personnel groupings, with Petzing leading the charge as offensive coordinator.
