The week leading up to the Super Bowl in San Francisco was anything but ordinary for the Detroit Lions. With six Lions suiting up for the Pro Bowl—folded into the NFL’s marquee event this year—and several more hitting radio row for a whirlwind of interviews and promotional appearances, Detroit’s presence was impossible to ignore. From quarterback Jared Goff’s thoughtful analysis of the team’s new offensive coordinator to candid conversations about player futures, the Lions’ offseason narrative is already brimming with intrigue, ambition, and a dash of uncertainty.
Let’s start with the headline news: the arrival of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. The hiring sent ripples through the Lions’ roster, and Goff, ever the cerebral leader, wasted no time doing his homework. “In particular, quarterbacks who have played for him were glowing,” Goff told the Detroit Free Press. He emphasized Petzing’s versatility and intelligence, adding, “He’s not tied to an offense. We’re going to kind of run what we’re best at and what we should be doing, which, some of the stuff we’ve done the last few years, that’s worked.”
Goff’s enthusiasm for Petzing is rooted in more than just hearsay. He reached out to Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, who flourished under Petzing’s guidance in Arizona, setting a single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 125. McBride’s feedback? Nothing short of effusive. “I was like, ‘Man, you’re going to love it. You’re going to eat, you’re going to have a great career.’ I’m excited for him,” McBride said, referring to Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. “He’s going to thrive. I had a great couple years under Drew and I think Sam will do the same.”
LaPorta, for his part, is working his way back from season-ending surgery to repair a herniated disc. Before the setback, he was on pace to eclipse his own franchise records for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end, marks he set as a rookie in 2023. The hope within the organization is that Petzing’s arrival will help LaPorta—and the entire offense—reach new heights.
Running back David Montgomery, who found himself phased out of the offense at times last season, also spoke with Petzing. The conversation, according to Montgomery, was a positive first step. “He was very intentional on what message he was getting across,” Montgomery said on Chris Simms’ podcast. “He wanted to ensure me, to let me know that he wants me to be a part of it. Yeah, I’m excited to see what’s next and see what kind of happens now.”
Montgomery’s relationship with fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs remains rock-solid. When asked about sharing carries, Montgomery brushed aside any notion of resentment. “I wouldn’t say dealing with it and I wouldn’t say stealing,” he explained. “I would say you’re on a team where you get the luxury of having two guys like that. Everybody wants to play, and everybody wants to be involved. But the good thing about this thing is I’m an incredible teammate, and I’ll do whatever it is that I need to do to ensure that my team is going in the right direction. But I also want to be a part of that also.”
Gibbs echoed that sentiment, expressing his hope that the dynamic backfield duo remains intact for another season. “Of course I want David back,” Gibbs told the Free Press. “The whole team would want David back, but it’s ultimately up to him. He’s going to do what’s best for him and his family and whatever he decides to do I’m going to support 100%. But of course we want him back, though.”
Elsewhere, the rumor mill churned with speculation about All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who has reportedly expressed a desire to leave Las Vegas and named Detroit as a potential landing spot. Both Aidan Hutchinson and Amon-Ra St. Brown were asked about the possibility. Hutchinson admitted, “I was actually looking that up on the way over here because I was hearing some rumblings about it. I don’t know. In the event that it did happen, that would be so dangerous. Me and Maxx have a great relationship. I’d love to play with him.”
St. Brown was equally intrigued by the prospect. “I mean, I don’t know how you stop him and Aidan, each on one side. It would be so lit, I feel like. I can’t think of a duo like Aidan and Maxx, if they were on the same team. But like I said, that’s neither here nor there.” For now, the financial and draft capital hurdles make a Crosby trade a long shot, but the dream persists in Detroit’s locker room.
St. Brown also found himself the subject of high praise from Eagles All-Pro cornerback Cooper DeJean, who called him one of the toughest receivers to cover. “How strong he is, like running routes and at the catch point, definitely surprised me a little bit,” DeJean said. St. Brown, ever humble, deflected the compliment. “I feel like, like I said, there’s so many receivers in this league that are, to me, that are elite, that can do stuff at a high level, so I think the league is in good hands with the type of receivers we’ve got nowadays.”
In the background, the Lions’ front office continues to shape the roster. Cornerback Carlton Davis revealed that contract structure led him to sign with the Patriots rather than return to Detroit, but he harbors no ill will. “I love Detroit,” Davis told the Free Press. “Even like how it went with free agency with us and Brad and Dan, it was like a straight-up process. It wasn’t no bullshit around it. It was good conversation, good communication, so I got nothing bad to say about them.”
Coaching staff news also made headlines, with the Lions poised to bring in former Giants coordinator Mike Kafka—pending any last-minute opportunities elsewhere. Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston offered a glowing endorsement: “Mike Kafka is the man. His ability to create exciting plays and concepts is going to be very beneficial for Jared Goff. When you’re bringing in a coach that played the game, I think he’ll be able to bring back what Ben Johnson had left there, the hunger, the intentionality and will to win.”
Meanwhile, former Lions safety Quandre Diggs, now with the Seahawks’ practice squad, shared that Detroit reached out in late November about a potential reunion. Ultimately, it wasn’t the right fit, but Diggs remains fond of the city and organization. “Those fans, the organization, I love them. I’ve been there numerous times to play and it’s been nothing but love, nothing but the crowd still cheering for me and enjoying who I am as a person. So I’m forever thankful.”
As if all this weren’t enough, Detroit’s media outlets spent the week dissecting the futures of the team’s 22 unrestricted free agents, underscoring just how pivotal this offseason will be for a club on the cusp of sustained contention.
The Detroit Lions may have fallen short of the ultimate prize this season, but the energy radiating from Super Bowl week suggests a franchise eager for more. With fresh faces on the coaching staff, a talented core hungry to build on recent success, and fans dreaming big, the Motor City faithful have every reason to keep their eyes on the horizon. The story is still being written—stay tuned.