The Detroit Lions did their homework before settling on Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator.
According to Detroit Free Press beat writer Dave Birkett, the Lions conducted an extensive search that included interviews with 10 different candidates before ultimately deciding Petzing was the right fit to replace Ben Johnson and help lead Detroit’s offense into the next phase of its Super Bowl window.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator search
Here’s the full list of coaches the Lions reportedly interviewed for the job:
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The diversity of that list is striking. It ranges from rising young assistants to proven NFL play-callers, respected college minds, and experienced program builders. In other words, Detroit didn’t just look for one “type” of coordinator; they cast a wide net across the league and college football.
Petzing ultimately emerged as the choice, and that decision was shaped not only by his work as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, but also by strong internal support, particularly from offensive line coach and run game coordinator Hank Fraley, who previously worked with Petzing in Minnesota.
The fact that Detroit interviewed nine other respected offensive minds before landing on Petzing only strengthens the message:
This wasn’t a rushed hire.
This wasn’t a fallback plan.
This was the result of a thorough, competitive search process.
For a team firmly in its championship window, the Lions approached the OC vacancy the same way they approach roster building — patiently, analytically, and with a long-term vision in mind.
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