By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s latest coaching hire could quietly influence the roster — and help solve one of the team’s biggest post-Ragnow questions.
When the Detroit Lions hired Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator, the move didn’t come with fireworks or bold headlines. Instead, it felt deliberate — the kind of hire rooted in fit, philosophy, and long-term vision. And as the picture becomes clearer, it’s increasingly evident that Petzing’s arrival could ripple beyond play-calling and into roster construction, particularly along the offensive line.
New coordinators often gravitate toward players who already understand their system, terminology, and expectations. As Mike Payton of A to Z Sports noted, that familiarity can be invaluable when installing an offense. With Petzing coming over from Arizona, Detroit may have an opportunity to address key needs using players who already know exactly what he wants.
A Potential Solution in the Middle of the Line
Life after Frank Ragnow has not been simple for the Lions. Since the All-Pro center’s retirement ahead of the 2025 season, Detroit has been searching for long-term stability at one of the most important positions on the field.
That’s where Hjalte Froholdt enters the conversation.
If Arizona elects to make cap-related moves this offseason, Froholdt could become available — and he would immediately profile as a legitimate starting option for Detroit. Over the last three seasons with the Cardinals, he’s been a steady, dependable presence, particularly in the run game. In 2024, he graded as one of the stronger run-blocking centers in the league, and in 2025 he allowed just one sack.
For a Lions team that prides itself on physicality up front, that kind of consistency would go a long way toward stabilizing the offense.
Familiarity That Fits Detroit’s Identity
Petzing’s offensive roots align closely with what Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes value most: toughness, balance, and winning at the line of scrimmage. Froholdt’s skill set checks those same boxes. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable — the type of player who keeps an offense on schedule and allows skill players to shine.
Adding a center who already understands Petzing’s system would also help smooth the transition into a new offensive structure, reducing early growing pains and accelerating cohesion along the line.
More Than Just One Name to Watch
Froholdt isn’t the only Cardinals player who could make sense for Detroit, but he may be the most impactful given the Lions’ current needs. Bringing in a center with starting experience, scheme familiarity, and proven durability would quietly strengthen one of the roster’s most important units heading into 2026.
The Bigger Picture
None of this suggests a blockbuster move is coming — and that’s exactly the point. The Lions have built their recent success on smart, calculated decisions rather than splashy ones. If Drew Petzing does bring along a familiar face from Arizona, especially at center, it would fit perfectly with how Detroit prefers to operate.
Sometimes the most important offseason additions aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones that help everything else work better.