Getty
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is explaining why he hired the team’s offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing.
The Detroit Lions already look like a new team heading into the 2026-27 season, and amid the news on Tuesday, February 24, about the team adding an overseas game in Germany, head coach Dan Campbell also made news by talking about his offensive coordinator hire.
Campbell and the Detroit Lions hired Drew Petzing on January 26, 2026, and the hire immediately got some pushback. Since the Lions were looking at high-profile candidates, such as former Miami Dolphins head coach and offensive mind Mike McDaniel, it came as a surprise that the Lions ended up going with a smaller name and someone from a team with a losing record.
Petzing came from the Arizona Cardinals, which had a 3-14 record for the 2025-26 season. That’s far worse than the 9-8 record the Lions saw last season. But, Campbell made that decision, and he’s sticking with it.
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell Sticks By His Decision to Hire Drew Petzing
In an interview with Tim Twentyman of the official Detroit Lions website out on Tuesday, February 24, Campbell talks about the decision to hire Petzing. He says that he knew right away Petzing was the person for the job, and he totally stands by his decision to hire Petzing over the more high-profile candidates.
“I’ve always liked Drew from afar,” Campbell said in the interview. “Through the years, what he was able to do offensively, I always liked it. There was creativity to it. We’re going to be versatile. He gives us that ability to make the most of what we have.”
Campbell also said that he knew Petzing “was going to be his guy within the first 20 minutes of the interview, as he loved Petzing’s presence and the detail in everything they talked about,” Twentyman said.
“I’ve seen the tape,” Campbell said. “I know what the tape is. I just think he’s a creative guy and can make things happen. ‘Tell me what I got and I’ll figure this out.’ I love that.”
Campbell also said in the interview that he was glad to have the opportunity to hire pass game coordinator Mike Kafka, “who has already added some good ideas offensively.”
Detroit Lions Will Head to an Overseas Game for the 2026 Season
On Tuesday, February 24, the team announced that they’ll one of the participating teams for the NFL’s return to Munich for a regular season game during the 2026 season as part of the NFL International series.
The Detroit Lions will play the game at FC Bayern Munich Stadium, according to an official release from the team.
“We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” Detroit Lions president and CEO Rod Wood said in a statement. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.”
This game will mark the team’s first return to international play in more than a decade. So, the Detroit Lions are heading to Germany, and Campbell and the team will be there with new offensive coordinator, Petzing.
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
More Heavy on Lions
Loading more stories