It was a big news week for the Detroit Lions, as the team announced Tuesday they are bringing general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia back for the 2020 season.
Franchise owner and chairman Martha Firestone Ford, her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp and team President Rod Wood sat down with reporters this week to discuss the decision. They also wrote an open letter to Lions fans on the matter.
All three discussed their expectation for the team to show marked improvement next year.
"We expect to be a playoff contender," Ford said. "That means playing meaningful games in December."
Later that Tuesday, the Lions announced that they had placed starting quarterback Matthew Stafford on Reserve/Injured. Stafford hasn't played since Week 9 when he injured his back in a loss to the Oakland Raiders, but the roster move officially ends his 2019 season.
"Obviously, have the utmost respect for Matthew and his efforts to try and do everything he could to get back and play," Patricia said in a conference call Tuesday. "It will be really in the best interest for him and us as obviously an organization right now to give him that opportunity to rest and heal and continue along that path."
Quarterback David Blough is expected to make his fourth consecutive start, and is still looking for his first win.
"Everybody around here needs it," Blough said. "We want to go out there and give everything we have for the city. We know everybody's supporting us.
"We in here want to stick together and do that for one another. We've got a great opportunity to just go and compete this week. That's the goal every week we take the field."
SLAY NAMED TO PRO BOWL
Cornerback Darius Slay was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl this week. Slay did not finish in the top 10 in fan voting, but got enough love from players and coaches to get the nod.
"I don't think I've ever been top 10 in (fan) voting, even when I led the league in picks (in 2017) I wasn't in the top 10 in voting," Slay said Wednesday. "Coaches watch film enough. Players do as well. I appreciate the respect they gave me. I go out there and work hard and I compete at a high level, so just them noticing, I appreciate it."
Slay was the only Lion to make the NFC Pro Bowl team, but wide receiver Kenny Golladay and Stafford are alternates at their respective positions.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
- Click here for the full Lions-Broncos injury report with game designations for Sunday's contest.
- Tim Twentyman takes a look at the numbers and statistics for the Lions 15 weeks into the regular season.
- Catch up on all the news from Darrell Bevell and Paul Pasqualoni's Tuesday media sessions.
