Detroit Lions next head coach: Matt Patricia or Mike Vrabel?

Is the decision for who takes the Detroit Lions vacant head coaching position down to only two men? One NFL insider seems to think so.

Does anyone honestly believe that the Detroit Lions vacant head coaching position is one of the best opportunities in the NFL? Well, that a matter of perspective.

Yes, this is the same old Lions team that hasn’t posted a playoff victory in over 25 years. And yes, this is the same franchise that went 0-16 back in 2008 under then head coach Rod Marinelli. And finally, yes, this is a club that just fired Jim Caldwell after posting a winning season three out of his four years in Detroit, taking the Lions to the postseason twice in the process.

But this is also a Lions’ franchise that has one of the top quarterbacks in the league under center in Matthew Stafford. And Detroit’s front office is being run by one of the brightest young executives in the NFL, general manager Bob Quinn. And, finally, this is a roster full of potential that is one solid push away from being a consistent playoff contender.

But there are certainly more attractive franchises that currently have vacancies at their head coaching positions. Most notably, the New York Giants. The Big Apple is a prime landing spot for potential coaching candidates, especially those seeking the spotlight. Throw in the Arizona Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts along with the Giants, and the Lions seem to pale in comparison when it comes to postseason success.

And now, according to one NFL insider, the Lions’ top choice to replace Caldwell in the Motor City is leaning more towards taking that opening in New York.

"“In Detroit, I hear Pats defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is the choice over Houston’s defensive boss, Mike Vrabel—but Patricia favors the Giants,” MMQB’s Peter King wrote on Wednesday. “If the Giants give the nod to Patricia, Detroit could be Vrabel’s job. …”"

After the loss of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to the Cincinnati Bengals in a rare lateral move, it makes sense that the Lions want a defensive-minded head coach to help steer the team in that direction. And both Matt Patricia and Mike Vrabel fit that bill. Plus, both men have a long established relationship with Quinn formed during their time together with the New England Patriots.

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But Patricia is the hottest name on the NFL’s coaching carousel right now. Losing him the Giants could be a gut punch to the Detroit Lions’ plans. Although Vrabel might be a solid consolation prize, not landing the Patriots’ current defensive coordinator could be a devastating blow to this franchise. But it’s hard to compete with the Big Apple.