Lions coaches, front office might be fired after finale
Jim Schwartz's career in Detroit appears to be coming to a close after his team failed to make the playoffs.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on NFL Network's "NFL GameDay Morning" that the expectation from inside the building -- including from Schwartz -- is the coaching staff will be fired following the
Lions' disappointing season.
Schwartz is currently 29-50 in five seasons after taking over the NFL's first 0-16 team. He has led his team to above .500 just once.
And the coaches might not be the only ones looking for new jobs.
"I'm also told it's a strong possibility the entire front office could be cleared out there," Rapoport said. "(There was) some serious dysfunction with the
Lions, including the front office bringing in players and coaches simply not using them. By the end of the year the two sides -- they weren't really talking to each other."
Owner William Clay Ford Sr. has been extremely loyal to his employees -- the most noteworthy being the contract extension given to former general manager Matt Millen despite abject failures.
NFL Media columnist Michael Silver said Bill Ford Jr. will make the decision on Schwartz and general manager Martin Mayhew.
"I'm told if they do make a change they are going to want offense, someone who can work with quarterback
Matthew Stafford," Silver said. "And Greg Roman -- a hot name the last couple years -- the
49ers offensive coordinator, would be very, very interested."
The coaching staff's almost
irrational insistence that everything was fine with Stafford's mechanics and play, despite the turnovers and flaws, has led to some of the outrage among
Lions fans.
If Detroit decides to move on from Schwartz and-or Mayhew following
Sunday's game, getting the more from the $76 million quarterback should be the top priority.
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