The Lions Gained More Than An OC: Drew Petzing Is Kelvin Sheppards Secret Weapon
Drew Petzing spent three seasons molding Kyler Murray. Now that knowledge could give Kelvin Sheppard and the Lions’ defense a valuable edge against the Vikings 2026.
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DREW PETZING KNOWS KYLER MURRAY
Detroit Lions — Drew Petzing was hired to run the offense, but his previous coaching experience could become a secret weapon against Minnesota this season.
Petzing spent three years coaching Kyler Murray, Minnesota’s new QB1 for 2026. That gives defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard a significant advantage, with direct access to the coach who designed Arizona’s offense around Murray.
Murray made 30 starts under Petzing from 2023 through 2025. Petzing worked through protections, quarterback movement, play-action concepts, pressure answers and Murray’s progressions within the offense.
Petzing learned which concepts played to Murray’s strengths, which defensive looks created problems and how Murray responded when the structure of a play broke down. This may not give Detroit Minnesota’s playbook, but it does provide Sheppard with context. Something film study alone cannot fully provide: firsthand insight into how Murray processes, reacts and adjusts within an offense.
PETZING SPENT THREE YEARS STUDYING MURRAY
When Petzing arrived in Arizona in 2023, he didn’t just study Murray’s previous NFL film. He went back to the Oklahoma film to better understand Murray’s ability as a runner. After Murray returned from ACL rehabilitation late that season, Arizona spent the following offseason examining his strengths, weaknesses, and scheme fit before expanding the offense to fit around him.
Petzing was actively studying him to make him better. He learned what Murray wanted against pressure, where he preferred to escape when protection failed and which defensive structures forced him into bad decisions.
Where The magic happens is during Vikings week. Sheppard can identify a tendency on film and take the diagnosis a step further with Petzing:
Was the decision dictated by the offensive design?
Was it Murray’s preferred answer?
Did the defense force him away from what he wanted?
Was another option available that Murray passed over?
That is where Petzing’s intelligence becomes so valuable. He can help identify what portions of the scheme belong to O’Connell, and what belongs to Murray.eme from what belongs to Murray himself.
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DETROIT ALREADY HAS A BLUEPRINT
The Lions have a recent defensive performance against Murray and Petzing to study. On September 22, 2024, Aaron Glenn’s defense held Arizona to 13 points and Murray to 207 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Cardinals converted just 1-of-9 third downs.
Detroit did not solve Murray by assigning a permanent spy or recklessly blitzing him. Glenn varied the presentation, mixing four-man rushes, selective pressure, changing fronts and situational six-man pressures while maintaining rush-lane integrity.
That game becomes even more valuable now because Petzing was on the opposite sideline calling Arizona’s offense. The question for Petzing becomes: Why was Glenn’s defensive plan so effective against Murray that day? Sheppard can study what Glenn did, then use Petzing to understand what Arizona was trying to accomplish against it.
If a particular front changed Murray’s protection, Petzing knows why.
If pressure forced Arizona away from a preferred concept, Petzing knows what the original answer was supposed to be.
If Detroit’s coverage forced Murray to hold the football or leave the pocket, Petzing can explain what Murray believed he was seeing.
Glenn’s film provides the defensive blueprint. Petzing can provide the offensive autopsy. Sheppard can use both rather than simply copying old calls.
