In this episode of the Secondhand Lions podcast, hosts Bill Radford and John Drennan discuss the recent hiring of Drew Petting as the Lions' new offensive coordinator, reflecting on the implications of coaching changes in the NFL. They analyze the Lions' performance in the previous season, the impact of offensive coordinators, and the dynamics of coaching vacancies across the league. The conversation also touches on playoff highlights, predictions for upcoming games, and a brief discussion on the college football championship, emphasizing the evolving landscape of both professional and college football.

takeaways

1. Drew Petting has a strong background in coaching tight ends and the run game.
2. The Lions are looking for stability in their coaching staff to avoid one-and-done coordinators.
3. Coaching vacancies in the NFL are at an all-time high, indicating a volatile coaching landscape.
4. The Lions' offensive line struggled to find consistency this past season.
5. Playoff officiating has been a contentious topic, with calls affecting game outcomes.
6. The hosts reflect on the importance of adapting strategies based on team performance.
7. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of NFL coaching decisions.
8. The hosts express optimism about the Lions' future under new leadership.
9. The college football landscape is changing with the introduction of NIL and transfer portals.
10. The Lions are seen as a team building towards a Super Bowl appearance.

In this episode of Secondhand Lions, Bill Radford and John Drennan react to the Bears’ stunning 25-point fourth-quarter comeback over the Packers, the Lions’ disappointing season collapse, and what it means for the NFL playoffs. They break down Divisional Round matchups, analyze coaching changes, review Lions Pro Bowl selections, and give their predictions for the weekend’s biggest games.

The Detroit Lions close out the 2026 NFL season with a 19–16 win over the Chicago Bears, finishing 9–8 and missing the playoffs. In this episode of Secondhand Lions, John Dreman and Bill Radford break down the Week 18 matchup, key stats, red-zone struggles, and controversial coaching decisions by Dan Campbell.

The guys reflect on the Lions’ four straight winning seasons, why this year still felt like a disappointment, and what needs to change moving forward. Topics include the firing of the offensive coordinator, potential free-agent targets, draft needs, Jared Goff’s performance, and the future of Detroit’s roster.

They also preview Wild Card Weekend, make Super Bowl predictions, and discuss major NFL coaching changes around the league.

If you're a Detroit Lions fan looking for honest analysis, emotional perspective, and real football conversation, this episode delivers.