The Detroit Lions have their new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing. Some Lions fans are really liking the move, and some are crashing out about it.

Other than e few who refuse to learn why this hire was made. I’m curious to see what those who had a week to learn and did it feel.

— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) January 23, 2026

At the end of the day, Petzing needs to prove himself, and the fastest way he can do that is to fix the Lions’ four biggest offensive problems. The offensive line isn’t one of them, by the way. That’s Brad Holmes’ responsibility right now. Here are the four I’m talking about:

Third Quarter Woes

I’m going to put a little bit of the blame here on Dan Campbell. After every half, he has said that he wanted to establish the run game. The problem is that he didn’t move off that stance when it didn’t work, and it would end with some quick three-and-outs, and the opposing offenses did their jobs. Next thing you know, the Lions were in a hole.

Petzing needs to make sure that adjustments are made after the half. Even if the team is winning. If the run game doesn’t work, move away from it and go with the pass game or vice versa. Just make sure you don’t find yourself in these holes with the quick drives that fail and allow the opponent to do their thing.

Converting on third down

In 2024, the Lions were fourth in the league at converting on third down. They did it 46.98% of the time. In 2025, the Lions plummeted to 19th in the league, converting on just 38.79% of their third downs. That’s pretty bad. Even with all the injuries, Petzing had the Cardinals at ninth in the league in converting on third down in 2025 and eighth in 2024. This is something he’s shown to be pretty good at.

Fixing goal to go situations

The Lions really struggled in goal-to-go situations in 2025. They were 16th in the league when they got to the 10-yard line or closer to the end zone. Despite the Cardinals’ struggles, they were third in goal to go under Petzing in 2025. The Lions need to make sure that when they get there, they score and continue to get points on the board.

Save Dan Campbell from himself

Let me be clear about this. I fully support the aggressive nature in which Campbell coaches. It got the Lions to where they’ve gotten in the past few years. But there have been plenty of occasions where it just wasn’t necessary. You go to Week 18 against the Bears, where the Lions just needed a yard to help put the game away, and they instead ran a direct snap to David Montgomery, who would have to pass the ball. It didn’t work out; the Bears got the ball back.

Going for it on fourth is not the problem here. Getting too cute in a moment where cuteness is not needed is the problem. So maybe in this sense, Petzing can move Campbell’s hand off the button and say, “I got this one, coach.”