The Detroit Lions just signed Kalif Raymond's replacement as a slot receiver and return man on special teams on Wednesday after Raymond was signed away by the Chicago Bears last week.
Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, "Former Cardinals WR Greg Dortch is signing a one-year deal with the Lions, sources tell me and Ian Rapoport. A reunion with new Lions OC Drew Petzing, who coached the speedy Dortch the past three years in Arizona."
The Drew Petzing connection always made Greg Dortch a logical free agent pursuit. So did Dortch's 7.3 yards per touch, which was one of the ingredients to Jacoby Brissett overperforming under center on the Arizona Cardinals. Despite being undersized, Dortch has a target separation of 2.14 yards against man coverage. He's a complete burner who is slippery enough to get open and explosive enough to do something with the ball after a reception.
That translates to special teams, too. Dortch averaged 11.6 yards on punt returns and 26.2 yards on kickoffs in 2025, giving Petzing and Co. better field position. No wonder Petzing brought a reliable and familiar face into the fold in the Motor City.
Kalif Raymond Chose Bears For Same Reason Greg Dortch Chose Lions
The Petzing-Dortch connection is nearly identical to what Raymond had with current Bears head coach, and former Lions offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson. Raymond recently spelled that much out after his signing.
"I’ll never forget the first day he had everybody saying, 'Good. Better Best,' ... You’re not used to doing chants and everything like that. And then we started winning. And then he started doing it here and everybody’s winning. So, I’m like, 'Well, we better be good, better, best, then.' It’s a testament to who he is. He’s not taking his shirt off because he wants to look good. He’s taking his shirt off because he probably slept three hours that week and put all the work in to go win the game. It’s a testament to who he is and I’m proud of him," Raymond said, via Mike Pendleton of Bears Wire.
Just as it speaks well to Johnson that Raymond chose his next NFL home because Raymond sought what he once had under Johnson's culture, it's a good thing that Dortch desired to be back with Petzing. Maybe more former Petzing players will come to the Motor City in the future. And maybe Dan Campbell finally found a true Johnson successor at OC.
It won't be a complete indicator, but what Dortch is able to accomplish with the Lions will go a long way towards determining just how strong of a fit Petzing is with what has become one of the league's most explosive offenses.