The Arizona Cardinals and Drew Petzing have agreed to a three-year contract that will see Petzing become the team’s new offensive coordinator. The move comes after Jonathan Gannon was appointed as the Cardinals head coach just after the Super Bowl.
The Cardinals are finalizing a three-year deal to make Browns QBs coach Drew Petzing their offensive coordinator, per sources. He joins new DC Nick Rallis, who's coming from Philly with Jonathan Gannon.
Both guys topped Gannon's wishlist. Young staff makeup = Similar to Philly.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 19, 2023
The rumors linking Petzing to Gannon (and Arizona) have been brewing for over a month now. It was always apparent that he was Gannon’s top choice to fill his offensive coordinator spot. Thus, the appointment makes sense. At 35 years old, Petzing has worked as a quarterbacks, tight ends and wide receivers coach. He has spent time on the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings and has been in the NFL since 2013.
It was in Minnesota that Gannon met Petzing. Gannon was the assistant defensive backs coach for the Vikings between 2014 and 2017. In those years, Petzing was the team’s assistant wide receivers/quarterbacks coach. Both worked under head coach Mike Zimmer, who is currently linked to Arizona to take up the role of senior defensive assistant.
Petzing’s meteoric rise through the coaching ranks has been down to his success in all positions. He was widely regarded as one of the league’s top coordinator candidates and his most recent work with Jacoby Brissett was particularly impressive.
Arizona Cardinals and Drew Petzing Prepare New Offensive Era
Scheme
Kliff Kingsbury’s firing seemed inevitable after a 4-13 record. His era was supposed to revolutionize NFL offense with dynamic playmaking and defense-stretching concepts. At times in 2021, Arizona flashed their offensive ceiling. That was, however, short-lived.
On Gannon’s first day, he said that he had an offensive vision for the team. It is impossible to know what that is exactly. He did, however, emphasize using Kyler Murray as the focal point. But Gannon also pointed out the need to be ‘adaptable’. He said he and his staff will place players in positions to succeed, with the scheme changing according to the personnel and opposition.
With all that said, what kind of offense Petzing runs is up in the air. Murray’s dual threat is one of the best parts of his game, so expect read options, run-pass options, quarterback runs and more. His deep throw was poor last year but has traditionally been excellent. Thus, it would be no surprise for the team to re-develop some deep passing concepts.
In Cleveland, the team relied on the run heavily. Using a tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, the Browns made things easier for their quarterback by keeping opposition defenses aggressive. James Conner can be a premier back, but the team could look to add another running back. A large part of Cleveland’s successful run game was down to tight ends. While Maxx Williams is a free agent this year, he is among the league’s top blocking tight ends and could be re-signed. He was also a college teammate to new defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
In short, expect a departure from Kingsbury’s spread offense. The exact scheme is to be determined, but more emphasis on the run and utilising Murray’s athleticism are likely on the way.
Free Agency and Personnel
In terms of a more practical element of Petzing’s appointment, Brissett could be a prime free agent addition for Arizona. The veteran backup is among one of the best QB2s in the NFL. He hits free agency after exceeding expectations in Cleveland in 2022. Arizona could sign him to a cheap one-to-two-year deal to provide good depth and stability during Murray’s expected absence at the start of 2023.
This is Petzing’s first coordinator role so some nerves and rookie errors are expected. As such, it would make sense for the team to pursue some experienced advice. Mike Munchak is a name that has come up, and he could be appointed as the team’s senior offensive assistant and offensive line coach.
Petzing’s hiring means that Joel Thomas (New Orleans Saints running backs coach), Drew Terrell (Washington Commanders wide receivers coach) and Troy Walters (Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers coach) were all rejected. While a small promotion could lure any of them to the desert, one name stands out in particular.
Terrell has done a great job with the Commanders receiving corps. Terry McLaurin is one of the league’s most underrated receivers and Jahan Dotson had a quietly impressive rookie year. With Eric Bieniemy now the new offensive coordinator in Washington, the former offensive coaching staff could be cleaned out. That would leave 31-year-old Terrell free to join the Cardinals as their wide reveivers coach. The vacancy recently opened after Shawn Jefferson left for the Carolina Panthers’ all-star coaching unit under Frank Reich.
Main Photo: Rob Schumacher – USA Today Sports
