With just two weeks left in the regular season, most NFL teams already lost their chances to make the postseason and are probably thinking about coaching changes. It was widely presumed that Detroit Lions would be one of them, but it seems like the organization is willing to give head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn another chance.
Lions’ owner Martha Ford spoke about the team’s plans for 2020 with reporters on Tuesday and confirmed that Patricia and Quinn will remain at their positions next year. Ford expects, however, that the duo repays her this faith with success.
“We expect to be a playoff contender and those are our expectations,” –said Ford. “Which we’ve expressed to both Bob and to Matt.”
Detroit Lions decided to fire head coach Jim Caldwell following the end of 2017, despite the fact that he led the team to the postseason two times and only once had a losing record during his four years with the team. Since taking over the team in 2018, Patricia, who previously served as New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator, failed to bring a significant improvement.
Under Patricia, Lions have been even worse, finishing the last season with 6-10 record. In 2019, they are certain to have a worse record, as they are currently 3-10-1 with just two games left to play.
“I appreciate Mrs. Ford and her family so much and Rod [Wood] and Bob and everything that we’re trying to do here and what we’re trying to accomplish, where we’re trying to lead this organization,” said Patricia when he found out that he will remain in Detroit in 2020. “It’s a process that we’re trying to go through to get the team to a highly competitive level that can sustain and be consistent and handle the ebbs and flows of an NFL season.
