Drew Petzing's Arrival Sparks Fantasy Potential for Sam LaPorta and the Lions
The Detroit Lions faced a setback in the 2025 season after a strong 2024, largely due to the departure of elite play-caller Ben Johnson to Chicago. This offseason, the Lions made a strategic move by hiring Drew Petzing, the former offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, to revamp their offensive scheme. Drew Petzing, who has three years of playcalling experience, has consistently utilized multiple tight-end sets, ranking in the top six during each of his years in Arizona. His tight ends enjoyed a significant 33.1% target share annually, while running backs received at least an 18.2% target share over the past two seasons. This approach raises questions about whether Petzing tailored his game plan around standout players like Trey McBride, or if he inherently favors tight ends in his offensive strategy. In an interview, Petzing noted that he moved away from the Cardinals' wide-zone run game to adopt more gap-scheme concepts, a decision that proved effective. Given the Lions' proficiency in running the ball, it’s reasonable to expect this trend to continue under Petzing’s guidance. Last season, Petzing’s teams saw a pass rate of 68.5% with Jacoby Brissett, a stark contrast to Dan Campbell's Lions, who have never surpassed a 59.6% pass rate since his tenure began. As the Lions gear up for the upcoming season, players like Sam LaPorta stand to benefit from the new offensive strategies, making him an intriguing option for Fantasy football enthusiasts. The shifts in play-calling dynamics could reshape the Fantasy landscape, highlighting both winners and losers as the draft approaches.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-06-19