Detroit Lions: 5 midseason coaching replacements for Matt Patricia

Jim Caldwell

The poor performance by the Lions under Matt Patricia has made many fans long for the days under former head coach Jim Caldwell. Detroit posted three winning seasons during Caldwell’s four-year run after all. And many believe the Lions would have performed much better under his leadership over the past three seasons.

In his final year in Motown, Caldwell’s Lions recorded a 9-7 season-ending record but did not earn a playoff berth. He was subsequently fired and replaced with Patricia, who has posted just nine total wins since 2018.

After leaving the Miami Dolphins over health concerns, Caldwell is apparently eager to return to coaching in 2020. Could the Lions actually turn to their old ball coach to finish out the season? Stranger things have happened.

Caldwell would certainly have his supporters in the locker room, although Patricia and Quinn have done their part to dismantle the team he helped to build as part of their culture change. The truth is, if the Lions are going to try and really salvage this season, there’s likely not a single better candidate to do so than Caldwell.

Unfortunately, Detroit Lions’ ownership may see this sort of move as a step backward rather than forward. And Jim Caldwell may very well feel the same. Especially considering how he was ousted from the franchise despite posting yet another winning season.