Consistency in Coaching is just as important as the players’ consistency. The Detroit Lions made big changes to their staff this year. Can consistency be created in the offseason to make a difference in 2026?
The 2026 postseason coaching chaos will generate more player inconsistency than in any previous NFL season. It will also wreak havoc on our fantasy seasons, unless…you read these articles and plan ahead. Never in the history of the NFL has there been as many Head Coach and/or Offensive Coordinator changes as there were this offseason. Some of our favorite, consistent players who were last season’s standouts may lose touches to others who were overlooked by their previous coaches. If you know who they are, they’ll be carrying your fantasy teams to championships. In this weekly series of team-by-team articles, Phil Taylor highlights how our favorite players are likely to be affected by the coaching changes.
Last season, the Detroit Lions, who have been one of the most consistent offenses over the last several seasons, were not the consistency machine we were used to seeing. The team pinned the blame on OC John Morton and sent him packing after one season in that role. This season, the Lions brought in Drew Petzing, who ran the Cardinals’ offense last season. In the draft, the Lions selected only two offensive players: a first-round OT and a 5th-round WR. What that tells me is that the Lions believe they have the offensive firepower to return to their previous level of scoring. According to the team, Drew Petzing will take on the play-calling duties. As we all know, the Lions have singular key players at each offensive skill position, so let’s take a look at how Drew Petzing’s offense will be integrated with each position.
Quarterback: Last season, Jared Goff was 17th in consistency, which is low compared to the last several seasons. I put the blame for that tepid showing on John Morton. Petzing uses a lot of play action, which Goff is good at. The offense will be run-heavy, which melds well with Goff’s strengths. When the run game is established, Goff can fake the handoff, freeze the linebackers, and then hit whichever WR or TE is open. Overall, the offense will be run-heavy in an effort to control the clock, but due to Goff’s and Amon Ra St. Brown’s efficiency on second and third down, I believe both will be better fantasy players for you in 2026.
Wide Receivers: For fantasy purposes, there are only four Lions WRs that you need to consider. The first two are Amon St. Ra, and the second is Jameson Williams. Those are the two big dogs in the WR room. Amon St. Ra is always in the top 5 for consistency and should easily live up to that. Jameson Williams, however, had only a 59% consistency rating. He’s one of those players who can go off for 130 yards and two TDs. But he’s also one of those guys who can turn in 22 yards on two catches. If, however, Amon St. Ra gets hurt, it will suddenly become Jameson Williams season. If you have Amon Ra, I’d grab Williams too, just to get the passing volume. I believe that Jameson Williams will be the third-best pass catcher on the Lions, which brings me to…
Tight Ends: Sam Laporta has ranked very highly in consistency in the past, but last season was an exception. Laporta only played nine games due to injuries. When he’s in the line-up, he’s money. He ranked in the top 7 for consistency until his back injury last season. Drew Petzing is known for utilizing movable tight ends like Sam Laporta. He was the OC in Arizona for the last three years when Trey McBride was wreaking havoc from the TE position. I think we can expect another really good season from a healthy LaPorta.
Running Backs: Jahmyr Gibbs was third in consistency last season, and we should see more of the same from Gibbs this season. Unfortunately, the team brought in a very capable Isiah Pacheco to take over the “David Montgomery” role, so we’ll have to deal with Gibbs getting the ball to the one or two-yard line and then seeing Pacheco fall into the end zone more than we’d like. Their third-string/change-of-pace RB is 3rd-year Sione Vaki. If Gibbs or Pacheco goes down, grab this kid off your waiver wire.
The Lions will be one of the best offenses for fantasy and real football in 2026. Drew Petzing will use the players to their full potential, but don’t be surprised if the Lions occasionally struggle against a team that runs the ball and protects the ball. They used five of their draft picks on defense, which should help them get more possessions. Gibbs will be an early Rd. 1 pick, followed soon after by Amon Ra St. Brown. LaPorta could be a later-round bargain.
