Anderson Cerney ‘26, Circulation Manager
This offseason, the Detroit Lions have had some tough questions to ask and answer before the start of next season. For instance, there was talk for general manager Brad Holmes to be aggressive in free agency, since he did not do much last offseason. Also needing to focus on drafting offensive lineman after last season’s abysmal performance, center Frank Ragnow left before last season, and with O-lineman Dan Skipper retiring as well as Tackle Taylor Decker possibly retiring this offseason, there is a lot that needs to be done this offseason. Although, the biggest issue that needed to be addressed was the offense as a whole—the main criticism of many as to why the Lions collapsed and missed the playoffs last season.
The Lions collapse was quickly addressed after the season ended with the Lions firing offensive coordinator (OC) John Morton, and beginning the hunt for a new person to lead the Lions’ offense. Immediately after firing Morton, the team started interviewing possible replacements for the offensive coordinator job. The list of people they interviewed was interesting to say the least: Arthur Smith, Ohio State’s new OC and last year’s Steelers OC, David Shaw, the Lions passing game coordinator; Drew Petzing, Arizona Cardinals former OC; Zac Robinson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers new OC; Mike Kafka, New York Giants OC; Jake Peetz, Seattle Seahawks passing coordinator; Tee Martin, Baltimore Ravens Quarterbacks coach; Tommy Rees, Cleveland Browns OC; and the main prize viewed by the fans, the former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels.
The main reason why many fans wanted McDaniels was due to him being known as an offensive coaching mastermind. Vito Chirco of Sports Illustrated wrote, “During Miami’s most productive offensive years with McDaniel (2022 and 2023), the Dolphins were among the league leaders in explosive plays, routinely turning short throws into long gains. That brand of football would work perfectly with Detroit’s present array of offensive playmakers.” The pairing of McDaniels and Dan Campbell’s very aggressive and trickery offensive thinking would have been a match made in heaven for this offense. McDaniels was also the coach that guided the Dolphins to drop 70 points on the Denver Broncos a few years ago. Unfortunately, the Lions front office would end up getting somebody else for the job.
On Jan. 26, Petzing was hired for the Lions offensive coordinator coaching job, which, for many, was seen as the wrong move, as Detroit elected not to hire McDaniels. Senior Conner Lipke had thoughts on the hire and said, “I feel like what Drew Pretzing is theoretically bringing to Detroit fits the Lions and the Lions mindset of “Run-Heavy, Play-Action”- but based on his past performance with the Cardinals, It will be interesting to see how he adapts.” Petzing did not exactly do a great job with the Cardinals, with the offense under him being ranked 19 and 24 out of all the teams in the last two seasons respectively. Then in between those years, the Cardinals were ranked 11 in offense, however, critics have called that season a “fluke.” On that same day, the Detroit Lions hired Giants offensive coordinator Kafka for a high ranking offensive-staff role. His role is not exactly understood, and possibly hasn’t even been decided yet. Most speculation so far is that he will help decide offensive game plans and some staffing with Campbell.
Overall, the hires have led to more questions than answers. The vagueness of Kafka’s role within the team didn’t really answer anything to what he would help fix. The Petzing hire, considering how the front office and coaching staff keep hiring diamonds in the rough for coaching. Has made the question, that somehow the Lions see something in him. Even though his past records are not that good. Now whatever it is that the Lions see in both hires, we will just have to wait till next season.
Lyon Life 