The Detroit Lions are absolutely NOT messing around after last season’s gut-punch 9-8 record and missing the playoffs. They shipped out offensive coordinator John Morton, who even gave up playcalling duties to head coach Dan Campbell before getting the boot. Now, it’s former Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing stepping in, and quarterback Jared Goff is already raving about the guy. This isn’t just a personnel change; it’s the Lions trying to reset and get back to those “championship expectations” they had just a year ago.
The New Play-Caller and Goff’s Fresh Start
Goff sounds genuinely stoked about Petzing, and honestly, you love to hear that kind of immediate chemistry. He told Bleacher Report their communication has been “awesome, very open,” saying he can express what he likes or doesn’t like, and Petzing does the same. Goff thinks it’s “a lot of fun” working with him. That direct, no-BS approach could be exactly what this offense needs. Goff knows the early offseason was just about “getting a feel for each other,” and understanding the broad strokes. Now, as training camp kicks off, they’re ready to “start really solidifying a lot of that.” Good thing Goff’s got the veteran leadership, too. He’s been able to guide guys like running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams through the new scheme, relating it to stuff they’ve done before. That kind of experience helping teammates adjust is priceless when integrating a whole new system and hitting the ground running.
Sacks, a Nightmare Schedule, and the O-Line Battle
Let’s be real, last year was supposed to be a championship-level season, and 9-8 felt like a total collapse. That’s why Morton got shown the door. But beyond the playcalling drama, Goff himself took a career-high 38 sacks last season! Thirty-eight! You just can’t be winning ball games consistently with your QB getting hammered like that every single week. The Lions *have* to fix that, and they’re definitely throwing bodies at the problem. They drafted tackle Blake Miller and brought in veteran offensive linemen like Cade Mays, Larry Borom, Ben Bartch, and Juice Scuggs. Goff is hyped, saying it’s the “deepest I feel like we’ve been at the offensive line,” boasting up to ten guys who can play multiple positions. That kind of depth and competition *has* to make them better, no question, and hopefully, keep Goff upright.
But here’s the kicker, folks: the schedule is absolutely brutal. They kick off the season with five non-division games, before jumping straight into back-to-back NFC North brawls against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. And then, Week 10? Goff is heading to Germany for the first time ever to face the New England Patriots in Munich. That’s not just a cool trip; it’s part of a nightmare stretch where they play three games in twelve days! Goff admits he wishes they had a bye week after, but nope, they don’t, so they just “deal with it and move on.” If they want to stay in the playoff hunt after that gauntlet, Goff simply cannot take 38 sacks again. This offensive line absolutely has to step up, and Petzing’s scheme needs to get the ball out fast.
This season is shaping up to be a true test for Goff and this new-look Lions offense. With the kind of challenges they’re facing early on, every single snap, every block, and every bit of that “awesome” communication with Petzing is going to matter. Can they translate positive early reports into wins when it counts? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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