Detroit Lions: Should Matt Patricia be on the hot seat?

After suffering another loss on Sunday, this time to the Los Angeles Rams, should the new head coach for the Detroit Lions be on the hot seat already?

Following back to back 9-7 performances, the Detroit Lions promptly fired former head coach Jim Caldwell at the end of last season. And after a lengthy prelude, the Lions finally hired former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as his replacement this offseason.

With the Motor City posting winning records in three of their past four seasons, including two playoff berths under Caldwell, it was believed Patricia’s presence would actually improve the already winning team. Specifically on the defensive side of the ball.

Since becoming the Patriots’ defensive coordinator in 2012, Patricia helped New England go to six-straight conference championship games, making it to the Super Bowl three times in that span and lifting the Lombardi Trophy twice.

The Lions opting to keep their passing offense in place, allowing offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter to remain in the fold. And they also added key players like running backs LeGarrette Blount and rookie Kerryon Johnson to their backfield, rejuvenating their rushing attack in 2018.

The Lions also opted to use their first-round selection on guard Frank Ragnow, in a continuing effort to bolster their offensive line.

With the offense much improved on paper, the defense was retooled. But Patricia’s presence was thought to be the biggest addition that could take the Lions “D” to another level.

In an attempt to change the culture in Detroit, Patricia employed much tougher practices that included an emphasis on more running from his players and having sessions outside in freezing temperatures despite being scheduled to play indoors.

Yet, following their 30-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the 4-8 Lions are officially worse than they were under Caldwell in 2017. And although Patricia has been able to produce big wins over his former Patriots and the rival Green Bay Packers, Detroit has lost five of their last six games and are trending in the wrong direction.

Here’s what Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith had to say about Patricia’s future in Motown following their latest loss.

"“The Lions’ offense was a mess. Aside from a trick play touchdown pass to left tackle Taylor Decker, it was stagnating all day. And the Lions’ playcalling was terrible, including a run up the middle on third-and-goal from the 19-yard line, and a bubble screen on third-and-15. Lions coach Matt Patricia is now 4-8 in his first season in Detroit, which ought to put him on the hot seat … “"

The Lions signed Patricia to a rumored five-year contract this offseason, and apparently opted to extend general manager Bob Quinn to match, tying their futures together. When they made that move, it seemed the organization did so with the intent to go the distance with the former New England combo.

But that doesn’t mean Patricia shouldn’t be on the hot seat as possible one-and-done candidate. Especially if the Lions continue to show poor progress in their final four games of the season.

Patricia’s tougher practice and coaching methods were thought to be a possible reason he could lose the locker room early on. With the losses stacking up in Detroit, that threat may be greater than ever. And if the first-year head coach losses locker room support, it could force ownership to make an early change.

But chances are the Detroit Lions will stick with Matt Patricia at the helm, chalking 2018 up to the learning curve of a rookie head coach trying to implement a complicated defensive scheme without all the personnel required to execute it. But that doesn’t mean Patricia shouldn’t be feeling the heat of a poor first season in Detroit.