It was a busy week for the Detroit Lions as they wrapped up their 2019 season and turned the page to the new year and the offseason.
"Bottom line for our season, and I'm going to say this word a lot, is we didn't finish," general manager Bob Quinn said Monday in his annual end of season press conference. "I know Matt (Patricia) has said it a couple times, I'm going to say it over and over again this whole offseason because when I look at everything – and we're just in the beginning stages of evaluating the season as a whole. It just was a season we didn't finish.
"We didn't win enough ... our responsibility here is to look at that over the coming months, look at everything from A to Z," Quinn said. "We're going to take a hard look at everything from players, to scheme, to coaching, to organization, to injury prevention. We're going to evaluate it, and do everything in our power to make it better for next year."
It didn't take long for those evaluations to yield changes. On Tuesday, head coach Matt Patricia announced several changes to his coaching staff.
"Today, our organization parted ways with John Bonamego, Al Golden, Rodney Hill, Harold Nash, Brian Stewart and Chris White," Patricia said in a statement. "These decisions are never easy and I'm thankful for the effort these men gave our team.
"I will continue to evaluate our entire operation in the coming days and weeks and will always make decisions in the best interest of the team. I wish these coaches the best in their future endeavors."
In addition to those six coaches, the Lions announced Thursday that defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and offensive line coach Jeff Davidson are stepping away from football.
The Lions haven't announced any replacements for any of the coaching vacancies yet.
LIONS TO COACH SENIOR BOWL
The Reese's Senior Bowl announced Thursday that the Lions, along with the Cincinnati Bengals, have been selected to coach this year's game.
The Senior Bowl is a postseason college All-Star game featuring some of the top NFL Draft prospects who have completed their college eligibility. The game is played on Jan. 25 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
"My staff and I welcome the opportunity to coach many of the nation's best college players at the Senior Bowl later this month," Patricia said in a statement. "Most of us got our start in coaching at the collegiate level and we look forward to a great week in Mobile. This event has always been well-organized and provides great access that is helpful in our pre-draft evaluations."
The Lions have the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
STAFFORD 'GOOD TO GO'
Before heading out for the offseason break, quarterback Matthew Stafford caught up with reporters in front of his locker to discuss his health and outlook for 2020.
Stafford missed half of the 2019 season with hip and back injuries, but he says he'll be good to go for the offseason program.
"I feel really good, which is good," Stafford said. "I've had quite a bit of rest, obviously, and I think I'll be feeling really, really good pretty darn soon, to tell you the truth."
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
- Celebrate the New Year with Mike O'Hara by checking out his picks for the Lions All-Decade team and top Lions moments of the decade.
- The Lions reported 14 Reserve/Future signings this week -- 11 on Monday and 3 on Tuesday.
- Tim Twentyman takes a look at all 19 of the Lions' soon to be free agents.
- Watch the season finale of Under the Helmet, featuring long snapper Don Muhlbach.
