The moves around the NFL have been nonstop, and the Detroit Lions joined the party on Monday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Lions are hiring former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing for the same role.
That name is a bit of a surprise, considering guys like Mike McDaniel were linked to Detroit, but it signals the Lions didn't feel like they would be able to secure that deal. Instead, they have brought in Petzing, and that could have a positive impact on David Montgomery's future with the team.
David Montgomery Could Be Surprise Winner of the Lions Hiring Drew Petzing
Montgomery's status with the Lions has been put into question a ton, and that noise increased when Brad Holmes spoke to the media at the beginning of January. He said that Montgomery "deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized," but that location may be in Detroit after all wih Petzing now on board.
While Petzing was the Cardinals' offensive coordinator, Arizona had an effective ground attack. In 2023, they ranked fourth in rushing offense (139.1) and second in yards per carry (5.0). The success continued in 2024, with Arizona ranking seventh in rushing offense (144.2) and second in yards per rush (5.3).
Things fell off the rails in 2025, as they were 31st in rushing offense (93.1), but context matters. They were without both of their starting running backs, James Connor and Trey Benson, from October on. It didn't help that quarterback Kyler Murray and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. dealt with injuries as well, which caused this offense to abandon the run as their games often turned into pass-happy game scripts.
Petzing clearly likes to run the ball, and it appears he's quite effective at opening up that part of an offense. The lack of a rushing attack was a downfall for the Lions in 2025, and a lot of it happened because Montgomery's usage decreased.
The duo of Montgomery and Jahmry Gibbs has been dynamic, yet in 2025, they decided to put more on Gibbs' plate and less on Montgomery's. But this hiring signals they want to get back to being a ground-and-pound offense.
In Montgomery's first two years in the Motor City, he had 404 carries, 1,790 rushing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns, and 4.4 yards per carry. His numbers took a hit in 2025, logging career lows in rushes (158) and rushing yards (716). The offense as a whole didn't look good, and some of that has to do with the former Iowa State standout taking a step back.
The Lions have seen success with Montgomery having a major role in this offense, and with an offensive coordinator coming into town who makes it a priority to get the run game going, it could keep the 28-year-old around for the 2026 campaign.