Detroit Lions look like front-runners for Matt Patricia

Matt Patricia was regarded as a favorite to become the Detroit Lions next head coach and nothing appears to have changed one week into the search.

The Detroit Lions‘ coaching search is just finishing up its first week and the Lions haven’t yet completed interviews with everyone they have reportedly had interest in speaking with. That being said, they have moved quickly to interview several candidates, including New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

The Lions and Patricia met in New England yesterday and it sounds like there is at least some expectation that this process will end with Patricia as the Lions’ next head coach. Citing a source, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported this evening that not only do the Patriots expect Patricia to leave, but the Lions are the expected destination.

"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Patriots are bracing for defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to leave, most likely to become the next coach of the Detroit Lions."

Florio goes on to note the already-established relationship between Patricia and Lions general manager Bob Quinn.

"Regarded as brilliant in all matters, Patricia also is believed to be more than ready to take over a team of his own. He has, we’re told, a very good relationship with Lions G.M. Bob Quinn, who previously worked for the Patriots."

While some teams took the opportunity to interview multiple Patriots assistants when in town, the Lions did not add Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels or linebackers coach Brian Flores to their interview list. That should only serve as further evidence that Quinn is zeroed in on Patricia as his next head man.

Nothing can happen officially until the Patriots are eliminated from the playoffs. That could make some fans nervous if other candidates start falling off the board while the Lions job stays open. In reality that should probably be a really good sign that things are on track for the job to be Patricia’s.

Dan Quinn and Kyle Shanahan each had long playoff runs before taking their current head coaching jobs. While their next appointments were not official until after the Super Bowl, the fact they would be landing the jobs they now hold were some of the worst-kept secrets in football. The same situation could be in store for the Lions if the Patriots are in for another deep run.

Florio made his report on NBC prior to today’s Wild Card game. You can watch the brief segment below:

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Of the previously reported candidates, the Lions have only yet to speak with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who has a game this weekend. NFL rules prohibit coaches from wild card teams from interviewing for head jobs until the next week. Coaches from teams on byes can interview the week of their bye. Additional interviews can occur with coaches whose teams advance to the Super Bowl during the off-week.