The Detroit Lions only hired offensive coordinator Drew Petzing a few weeks ago. But since life moves fast in the NFL, he hasn’t wasted much time putting his stamp on the Lions roster for his first season in charge.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Lions have signed tight end Thomas Gordon to a futures deal. The deal probably doesn’t mean that Gordon, who did not appear in a regular season game for the Chicago Bears last season, will be a big beneficiary for Petzing’s hire in 2026. But it could be a link to Petzing’s area of expertise as he looks to add depth and production to the tight end position in Detroit.
Lions Making Tight End Depth a Priority Under New OC Drew Petzing
The Lions depth chart looks good on paper but there are a few questions entering the offseason. Sam LaPorta has caught 186 passes for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns since entering the league in 2023 but his production has decreased in each of his three seasons and his 2025 season ended prematurely due to a back injury.
The rest of the Lions’ tight ends do not look inspiring heading into next season. Shane Zylstra, Anthony Firkser and Brock Wright combined for just 25 receptions, 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns behind LaPorta last season and although LaPorta should be ready to go before training camp, adding volume to the depth chart could create competition.
Whoever comes out of that competition could reap the benefits. Petzing’s tenure with the Arizona Cardinals didn’t go well overall but one of the successes was scheming targets for Trey McBride. Since arriving in the desert in 2023, Petzing helped McBride lead all tight ends in targets (422), receptions (318) and receiving yards (3,210). McBride also ranks fourth among tight ends with 16 touchdowns during that time frame and he could have that lead too if he didn’t have a bizarre 2024 season when he didn’t score until Week 17.
Petzing’s previous stops also have effective tight ends scattered throughout. While he worked more with receivers during his time with the Minnesota Vikings, he also saw Kyle Rudolph emerge as one of their biggest threats. Austin Hooper and David Njoku also had modest production under Petzing with the Cleveland Browns and it parlayed into McBride’s rise in Arizona.
McBride’s production may have come out of necessity as Petzing had Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. as his top receivers. But it could be enough to spark LaPorta and potentially have the adequate depth behind him if injury strikes again in 2026.
This could also impact the Lions' offseason plans overall as they hit free agency or the draft. While it's unlikely Detroit would add a major free agent, they could target a tight end in the draft including Oregon's Saddiq Bey.
Lions fans would likely prefer to use that pick on an offensive lineman or another area of need. But it's possible that Thursday's signing could be a sign he values the tight end position in his offense.