Maybe Bob Quinn isn’t the reason the Lions pass on Tua Tagovailoa

Passing on Tagovailoa might be a decision from higher up

Matthew Stafford is one of the best quarterbacks in Detroit Lions history. Because the numbers I believe in are championships, not passing yards or touchdowns, that means Stafford still ranks behind Bobby Layne, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand why Layne was part of three world championship teams in the Motor City while Stafford’s teams haven’t been close.

Stafford has never been dealt a hand as good as the ones Layne had. The Detroit Lions of the 1950s were mostly just better than the rest of the league and a stubborn old Hall of Fame quarterback who refused to lose took advantage of that.

Matthew Stafford has not been surrounded by a championship team yet. Even in 2014 when the Lions fielded one of their best defenses in the last 60 years, Joe Lombardi’s offense lacked rhythm and sputtered until he was sent packing by head coach Jim Caldwell one year later.

But Stafford is Detroit’s all-time leading passer in every statistical category and has been one of the most valued and appreciated players in the history of the Lions for his efforts. Even Tom Brady wasn’t appreciated by the Patriots organization as much as Stafford has been and that is why Brady is now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

So when the Lions most likely pass on Tua Tagovailoa in the draft, it may not necessarily be because of Bob Quinn or even Matt Patricia, it might just be due to Martha Firestone Ford.

Unlike Mrs. Ford’s late husband who often influenced player personnel decisions during his run as the Lions’ owner, Martha has seemingly allowed her general managers, both Martin Mayhew who was in the position when William Clay Ford passed away and Bob Quinn who she hired to replace Mayhew, to make whatever personnel decisions they felt were right.

It hasn’t led to any championships, but at least she has allowed them an opportunity to do their jobs.

So while it certainly doesn’t seem like selecting Tagovailoa would mesh with Bob Quinn trying to build a team that will win next year, he has accomplished enough in free agency that with the addition of a couple more cost-efficient free agent signings and a shrewd draft, the Lions could have a good enough roster to compete next season even if they use the third pick on Tagovailoa. Matt Patricia just has to do his job well coaching them.

The Lions can make an investment in their future, and also compete for the playoffs next season especially given the expanded postseason which is part of the new league agreement.  That is if they can finish their free-agent shopping and draft with smart, savvy moves.

Which means perhaps, while selecting Tagovailoa isn’t necessarily a part of Quinn’s game plan, maybe the real reason the Lions won’t be choosing the former Alabama star is Martha Firestone Ford.

Mrs. Ford seems to have an interest in Matthew completing his career in Detroit. So if there is any discussion about the Lions’ draft day strategy, it wouldn’t be far-fetched at all to imagine her preference to be filling other needs instead of creating a healthy competition at quarterback.

The commitment that the Lions have in Matthew Stafford starts with Mrs. Ford and trickles down through the rest of the franchise. So when the Lions decide to go a different path in the NFL draft rather than selecting Tagovailoa, it’s probably won’t be completely Bob Quinn’s decision.