Top 3 priorities for the Lions next general manager

Here are the top three decisions the next Detroit Lions’ GM must tackle

With the recent firings of general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia, the Detroit Lions have set their sights on a better tomorrow. Although interim head coach Darrell Bevell is hoping to finish out this season strong, already notching his first victory against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Regardless of how the head coaching search in the Motor City pans out, the Lions’ future general manager will have several glaring issues to tackle that will take priority the minute they assume the role. We’ve tried to determine the top three below …

#1. Re-sign wide receiver, Kenny Golladay

No matter who is under center for the Lions in 2021, they’ll need someone to throw the ball to. And while tight end T.J. Hockenson appears to be on his way to his first Pro Bowl, he’ll be a lonely target with all three of the team’s top wide receivers, Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., and Danny Amendola, scheduled to hit free agency in March.

The top priority for the new general manager in Detroit will be to re-sign Golladay. Injuries have limited the talented wideout to playing in just five games in 2020. But he’s coming off his first Pro Bowl season where he led the NFL with 11 receiving touchdowns last year. Golladay’s size (6-foot-4) and his abilities as a deep threat would make him highly-coveted on the open market.

The Lions should be about the business of retaining their most talented players to bolster the foundation of the team, not let them walk.

#2. Help decide the fate of Matthew Stafford

While it’s the head coach that might have the most say in whether the Lions keep quarterback Matthew Stafford or move on from him, it’s the general manager that will have to manage the fallout.

If the decision is to keep Stafford in Detroit, the new GM will be tasked with building a better supporting cast around a 33-year old passer entering his 13th season in the NFL. If the decision is to part ways with him, the new general manager will have to find his replacement. That’s either via free agency, through the 2021 NFL Draft … or both.

#3. Expedite the ex-Patriot exodus?

Quinn and Patricia have spent the past three seasons stocking the roster with ex-players from their previous gig with the New England Patriots. The new regime in the Motor City will likely not have those same ties.

So the new general manager for the Detroit Lions must decide how best to deconstruct the New England Patriots’ Midwest experiment and help determine which of those players should remain in Motown.

Names like safety Duron Harmon and wideout Danny Amendola are already scheduled to be free agents in 2021. The tougher decisions lie with the futures of ex-Pats like linebacker Jamie Collins, cornerback Justin Coleman, defensive end Trey Flowers, and defensive tackle Danny Shelton who are all on longer, more expensive contracts.