Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator and now-Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson weighed in on the Lions' decision to hire Drew Petzing as its next OC.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press shared Johnson's reaction to the Petzing hire by the Lions.
"I think he's going to blow those players away just from a knowledge standpoint, from a connection standpoint. I fully expect that offense to be clicking at a high level next year. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, and I think there's a reason why Dan, from what I could gather, cast a wide net for the offensive coordinator job and Drew hit the right notes in terms of what he was looking for.
“That doesn't surprise me. I could see this being a great fit knowing Dan and knowing Drew both. I think it’s probably a match made in heaven," Johnson said of Petzing.
Ben Johnson: Lions players will be blown away by Drew Petzing's offensive knowledge. https://t.co/j53OH59CZN
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 23, 2026
Few in the profession know Petzing better than Johnson. The two were in one another's weddings and their paths first crossed at Boston College when Petzing was a graduate assistant (2010-11) and Johnson was a graduate assistant (2010) and then tight ends coach (2011) with the Eagles.
"I think what Drew does is, or at least what he showed in Arizona is he's going to put his best players in a chance to showcase what they do. I think it’s a really smart decision by Dan. It’s going to be hopefully not too big of a headache on us, but I see it being a really good match," Johnson said.
As the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator from 2023-25, Petzing oversaw a Cardinals offense that ranked second in the NFL in rushing average (4.92) and ninth in rushing yards (6,399). Arizona was without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, its top two running backs James Conner and Trey Benson and top receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for large chunks of last season as the Cardinals sank to a 3-14 finish.
But, Cardinals tight end Trey McBride finished sixth in the league in receiving yardage and led all tight ends in receiving yardage (1,239) and catches (126) last season under Petzing's direction.
"He didn't take any shortcuts,” Johnson said. “He took some lumps along the way and yet he's here because he works his tail off. It wasn't like he rode someone's coattails to get to where he is, either. He had to work his way up and he's been successful every stop along the way."
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: 'Match made in heaven': Bears' Ben Johnson comments on Lions' OC hire