4 Lions bold predictions for 2026 NFL season as Drew Petzing tries to bring back NFL-best offense

The Detroit Lions’ offensive prowess is undeniable heading into the 2026 NFL season, one year after a top-five total offense that came amid a rash of personnel losses at tight end and offensive line.

The Lions missed the playoffs and ceded the NFC North title to the Chicago Bears and their head coach Ben Johnson, who coordinated Detroit’s NFL best offense in 2024.

Now, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell is running it back with an unexpected name leading his offense in former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

Petzing was hamstrung by a significant foot injury to starting quarterback Kyler Murray last season and finished near the bottom of the NFL in total offense. Soon, he will have the opportunity to lead a durable and dependable quarterback, Jared Goff, out onto the field in hopes of leading the Lions back to the playoffs and back to the top of the NFC North Division.

Can Petzing take the Lions’ offense up another notch? Here are four bold predictions heading into the 2026 NFL season:

Prediction #1: Offensive line surge

The Lions’ offensive line was caught without a backup plan after multiple-time Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow retired on June 2 of last year.

He attempted to come back but failed his physical, leaving the Lions stranded with inexperienced players in key spots.

One of those players, then-rookie Tate Ratledge, performed well but not to Ragnow’s usual standards. This season, the Lions’ offensive line is reloaded and ready to go with one of the league’s best offensive line coaches, Hank Fraley, serving as its leader, tutor and mentor.

Among them is rookie first-round pick Blake Miller of Clemson, who has a long and athletic frame that will pair well opposite mauling fellow tackle Penei Sewell.

Newcomer Cade Mays will likely miss at least the first month of the season due to a wrist injury but the Lions have depth in the form of Juice Scruggs and Christian Mahogany on the offensive line.

Petzing and Fraley have plenty of good clay to work with, and the coaching skills to mold this offensive line into something powerful. Expect the Lions’ offensive line to be much improved this season with depth bursting at the seams.

Prediction #2: LaPorta Rides Again 

Lions star tight end Sam LaPorta missed eight games last season due to a back injury but is expected to play in the Lions’ 2026 opener against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field on Sept. 13.

LaPorta scared the living daylights out of Lions fans during training camp as he missed time with a hip injury. The frenetic social media reaction to LaPorta’s injury is a telling indication of his value to Goff and the Lions’ offense.

LaPorta is a player who thrives in space, and getting him free from first and second-level defenders will be a major point of emphasis for Petzing. Judging by Trey McBride’s banner year at tight end with the Cardinals last season, LaPorta will fare well in the new offensive coordinator’s offense.

Prediction #3: RB Depth Exposed 

The Lions’ depth at running back will be exposed with Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve to start the season and Jahmyr Gibbs suddenly feeling the immense weight of a contract that made him the NFL’s highest-paid running back of all time.

His new backup, Sione Vaki, is a bruiser who is mostly unproven in regular-season action. Behind him is Jacob Saylors, who has flashed potential in NFL preseason games.

Petzing will have no choice but to trust both players with spot carries and passing game opportunities until Pacheco gets back. Both have shown a strong work ethic and some potential, but the feeling here is that the Lions aren’t sold on either of them as fully trustworthy regular season contributors beyond a small handful of plays per game.

The key at this position will be for Gibbs to stay healthy and not try to do too much until Pacheco gets back to give him much-needed breathers throughout each game.

Prediction #4: Better Offense, Similar Stats 

The Detroit Lions’ franchise captured lightning in a bottle with its hire of Campbell as head coach and rode that lightning to within 30 minutes of a Super Bowl appearance.

The last two seasons have seen dizzying highs and brutal lows mostly spurred by untimely injuries.

Heading into the season, Detroit once again has the health profile and offensive line depth it needs to steamroll its opponents in the NFC. The problem is, the NFC North is better now than it’s been in quite some time, meaning Detroit will be in for dogfights on a consistent basis.

This season, I expect the Lions to have a better, more dynamic offense under Petzing, but I don’t think they will have the NFL’s best offense statistically like they did under Johnson. The Lions will likely take a more ball-control approach, with two of their best players still hurt on defense.

Petzing chose to get rid of a familiar face on offense before the season, but he has more than enough players to accomplish his objective of making the Lions a top-five-caliber offense again.

Less razzle-dazzle and more meat and potatoes could be a major positive for Campbell, Petzing, and the Lions come playoff time, which could ultimately lead to better results under the new offensive coordinator.

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