Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell knows just how difficult it can be to find stability for his coaching staff… Anthony Lynn was his first choice, though it became clear quite early that he wasn’t going to last too long. The Lions demoted him after just eight games, of which they won zero, before moving on completely after finishing 3-13-1 in 2021. Ben Johnson was a revelation, turning that putrid unit into one of the league’s very best while unlocking the potential of quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St.
Brown, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs – departing after three seasons to take the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears. John Morton was dealt a similar fate to that of Lynn, losing his play-calling duties midway through last season before eventually being fired – the second time that has happened to him throughout his career. Detroit is hoping that the new guy follows the path of one of his predecessors and not the other: Age: 392023-2025: Arizona Cardinals (Offensive Coordinator)2020-2022: Cleveland Browns (QB/TE Coach)2014-2019: Minnesota Vikings (Offensive Assistant) Petzing arrives with an advantage over fellow first-year play-callers David Blough (Washington Commanders), Bobby Slowik (Miami Dolphins), Todd Monken (Cleveland Browns), Brian Daboll (Tennessee Titans), etc.
Goff remains one of the best pocket passers in the NFL, having finished top-five in single-season passing yards (4,575, 4,629, 4,564) and touchdown passes (30, 37, 34) in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Brown has more receptions (351) across that same stretch than anyone not named Ja’Marr Chase (352). Gibbs has an argument for being the league’s best offensive player, having totaled 5,029 yards from scrimmage and 49 touchdowns across his three seasons, and this time around he won’t have to split touches with David Montgomery.
Petzing’s only job is to put those guys in the best position possible to succeed, which shouldn’t be all that difficult! Detroit has a built in passing attack that shouldn’t be touched, while the new guy is bringing in one of the more dynamic rushing attacks in football to the table.
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