What does success look like for the Detroit Lions in 2019?
Detroit Lions record
With forecasts all over the map, would anyone be happy with just a better record than last year? If the Lions win seven or eight games, which is an improvement, how would you feel?
Quinn stated that former head coach Jim Caldwell’s last year, with a 9-7 record, was unacceptable. He then went out and hired Patricia, the former New England Patriots defensive coordinator, who got off on a bad foot with only six wins. Another losing campaign would most definitely put both men on the hot seat going into 2020 if things don’t improve drastically.
It’s important to point out that Quinn is well liked by the fanbase. The vast majority of his decisions seem to be sound and when coupled with no-nonsense owner Martha Firestone Ford, the two have the appearance of a better front office than in decades past. However, any honeymoon period the two have enjoyed could come to a crashing end if a string of losing seasons continues through this year.
Simply put the Detroit Lions via Bob Quinn have invested many, many millions of dollars into the current roster and have given no indication that there is any need to rebuild anything. Quinn re-signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to an extension for five years and $135 million dollars. Other players have also been extended, an obvious sign that Quinn believes (or wants us to believe) that they’re moving towards a championship.
Other moves, like trading for defensive tackle Damon Harrison, seem to reinforce the narrative that Bob Quinn believes that his team is not that far away or that he can push his team to be contenders. The signing of Trey Flowers is similarly indicative of a win-now mentality. The draft class was filled with support players, as well.
From a win-loss perspective, it would be difficult to see less than nine or ten wins with a playoff berth make fans happy. Beyond that, they might need to see a playoff win or a division title to be really happy. On the one hand, that doesn’t seem impossible. The division is pretty tight and although the Chicago Bears won pretty easily in 2018, the whole division was able to bring in both free agents and a draft class to address big holes.