Lions Made Key Moves During the NFL Offseason - And They're Stronger for It

The Detroit Lions are coming off a difficult 2025 season, where they landed at last place in the NFL North and had to watch rivals the Chicago Bears, and former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, get all the glory.

But the Lions switched things up going into the 2026 season, and it shows. This team will look very different going into September, at least on the coaching front.

In a recent feature, Mike Sando of The Athletic names his favorite moves for each NFL franchise during the league’s offseason. “With most major NFL offseason moves complete, it’s a good time to single out a favorite move for each team,” he states in the piece.

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He loves the team’s moves of hiring outside staff for key coaching positions.

“Though the Lions’ offense remained strong statistically after coordinator Ben Johnson’s departure to Chicago in 2025, coach Dan Campbell demoted and fired Johnson's replacement, John Morton, who had been on Campbell’s staff in 2022,” he says in the piece. “Hiring Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator and Mike Kafka as passing game coordinator brings fresh thinking to Detroit as the team navigates roster attrition.”

He adds: “Petzing and Kafka have interviewed for head-coaching jobs during recent cycles, an indication they have something new to offer the Lions.”

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As someone who has covered both the Lions and Giants for years, I have to say that the Kafka selection stands out to me most. He did a great job serving as interim coach last year for a Giants team that was beaten up. Even amid injuries, he got something out of that team, and he’ll bring a smart energy to Detroit.

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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 9:27 AM.