DAILYREPORT

🦁 Top Story

The Detroit Lions have hired Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator after he spent the previous three seasons as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator. Over his time in Arizona, the Cardinals ranked second in the NFL in rushing average and were ninth in rushing yards. This marks a critical fresh start for the Lions' offensive gameplan after John Morton's dismissal.

📰 Headlines

• Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown talks at NFL owners meetings and hypes Lions' game in Munich while discussing OC Drew Petzing.

• Chuck Clark, veteran safety, signs with Detroit Lions on April 1, 2026. Clark totaled 51 tackles with the Steelers last year and will handle a rotational role behind starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

• Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell talked with reporters at the Annual League Meetings Monday about 2026 free agency, roster construction and more.

• Rod Wood reflected on his decision to step down this offseason, what he viewed as his greatest successes and failures, and the role he'll have in helping find his replacement.

• No joint practices in 2026 could be a blessing in disguise for the Lions, as the physical yet frequently injured team needed to make a change with their offseason practices.

🎙️ Podcast & Media Picks

The Detroit Lions Podcast features coverage of the Lions seeking bonus repayment from Ragnow, Detroit adding veteran safety Chuck Clark, and draft prospect breakdowns including Luke Easterling discussing Detroit Lions draft needs such as bolstering the left side and adding an edge to free up Hutchinson. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for daily Lions updates.

📊 Season Watch

Theme D — Offensive Coordinator Impact

Drew Petzing, 38, was the offensive coordinator in Arizona under former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon the last three seasons, with schematic elements to his offense that make him a good fit in Detroit, most importantly his commitment to having a solid rushing attack. Under Petzing's guidance, Cardinals TE Trey McBride earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections and was named First-Team AP All-Pro in 2025 after leading all NFL tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, while tying for the most receiving touchdowns, with his 126 receptions establishing a single-season NFL record among tight ends. With a run-first philosophy and experience developing playmakers, Petzing brings stability after last season's offensive turbulence. Watch how quickly Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs adapt to the new scheme.

🗓️ Lions History & All-Time Greats

The Franchise's Passing Guard

Matthew Stafford is the Lions' all-time passing leader with 3,898 completions, 45,109 yards, and 282 touchdowns. Stafford spent 12 seasons in Detroit (2009–2020) before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where he won Super Bowl LVI. Meanwhile, Barry Sanders holds the all-time rushing record with 15,269 yards and Calvin Johnson is the all-time receiving leader with 731 receptions and 11,619 yards. The three greatest offensive talents in franchise history—Stafford's precision, Sanders' explosiveness, and Johnson's dominance—defined generations of Lions football. Today's team hopes Petzing can unlock a new era of offensive firepower around Goff's arm and Gibbs' legs.

🔮 What to Watch

• The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. Mock drafts project the Lions will prioritize left tackle and defensive help early, with Brad Holmes likely to choose an offensive lineman or a starting safety with the 17th pick rather than edge rusher.

• The Detroit Lions are expecting to play an international game during the 2026 NFL season, with team president Rod Wood saying it's highly likely, especially given that in 2026 they'll have the extra home game. Germany remains the leading candidate thanks to Amon-Ra St. Brown's heritage and the team's marketing expansion there.

• Rod Wood intends to stay on through the search for his replacement, and once candidates emerge, potentially as soon as April, they'll meet with a panel consisting of owner Sheila Hamp, ownership advisor Chris Spielman, chair William Clay Ford Jr., chief people officer Lindsay Verstegen and Wood, with hopes that GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell also have an opportunity to weigh in.