Detroit Lions housecleaning: Coordinators and fixing the offense

Offense

Matthew Stafford/ Quarterback

This topic is probably the most debated among fans. Some fans would say this is the biggest problem in the franchise. I would strongly disagree.

Stafford, although inconsistent at times, is the best thing the Lions have going. You can quote team wins with him as quarterback, or quality wins, or whatever. Stafford plays and plays well most games.

He did not have great games at Thanksgiving or against Tampa Bay last week, but he’s been very good even with the abuse he’s taken from a poor line, no running game, and a defense that has given up almost as many points as the Lions can score. Their point differential for the season is nine. Meaning, we have scored nine more points than we have given up all year.

The Minnesota Vikings, by contrast, have a 74 point differential. We have also scored more offensive points than them, by the way, 338 to 309.

Options

In terms of replacing Stafford, you could trade him away and draft another arm. I’ve written entire posts on the subject due to public debate. Jake Rudock and Brad Kaaya are on the roster. You could let them duke it out.

You could sign a free agent to start. Meaning, you sign Robert Griffin III, or some other guy not with a team to start next year. This is expensive as starting positions necessitate big money for the starter.

The rookie class of quarterbacks is stout with several underclassmen due to declare in January for the draft. That’s it: draft a guy, pay a free agent something close to what Stafford makes now, or let the other players on the roster fight to start. Of course, you could combine those approaches, but there’s no guarantee of getting what you already have in Stafford.