Should the Detroit Lions fire Bob Quinn? The pros and cons

Rebuilds take time

Part of the equation of why continuity helps is that changing systems after hiring new management and coaching staff takes years.

Quinn took over the team in 2016 and purged the last of the old roster, minus a couple of core players, just this year.

Teams get seven picks per draft and typically have players signed for increments of two to five years at a time, so converting a roster to fit a new scheme can take a minimum of three to five years depending on the specific talent and contracts that were already on the payroll.

In the Detroit Lions case, they changed defenses when they hired Patricia to a two-gap defense, which meant getting rid of a good chunk of the roster. The Lions still need more dynamic pieces, especially at edge linebacker,  to field a more competitive defense and generate more of a pass rush.

Many people feel that getting rid of Quinn would cause the team to lose for an additional four to five years if he were replaced.

If fans have a hard time with two losing seasons and a three-year absence from the playoffs, how would they deal with a four to six-year absence? Lots of fans can’t stomach that idea.