One Offseason Move Made The Detroit Lions A Playoff Team

At the end of the 2018 season, I thought this Detroit Lions team has a lot to work on before being in the playoff contention conversation in 2019. After really digging and re-watching the games (for the third time…), I thought two major issues were keeping the Detroit Lions from having the season they wanted. Jim Bob Cooter and Matthew Stafford.

For Stafford, it was finally reported by Mike O’Hara from DetroitLions.com on his podcast that Stafford was dealing with ‘broken bones in his back,’ though according to the pod this didn’t happen until week 13. The Detroit Lions franchise QB was having a very disappointing season from the jump though. Leaving Detroit Lions fans confused about Stafford’s performance last season.

Jim Bob Cooter, on the other hand, was broken way before last season. He has never been able to figure out how to run the ball at this level, and his play calling was in the realm of worst in the NFL. Want hear a very damning quote about Jim Bob Cooter? From Jets LB Darron Lee, telling reporters after the week one game, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press;

"“We were calling out their plays as he was getting up to the line. We knew his signals. We knew everything. That’s just preparation as a defense. … It just seemed like we were in his head as a defense.”"

There seemed to be a little more on the line for the Detroit Lions this offseason. We are now going into Bob Quinn’s fourth season, and his Lions have yet to win the division or a playoff game. There has always been a fall back as to why it wouldn’t be fair to move on from Quinn just yet. Whether it’s because he hasn’t had time to get his players, doesn’t have his head coach or oh – just wait until his draft picks develop. Bob Quinn is just about out of excuses.

This is his roster now, he now has his head coach going into his second season, and his first set of draft picks are now going into their fourth and final season on their rookie contracts.

So, in such a critical offseason for Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia, what was their big move? The move they’re depending on the most to finally get a division title or playoff for the Detroit Lions and save their jobs? My answer: Darrell Bevell.

With the addition of Darrell Bevell as offensive coordinator this offseason, along with other offseason acquisitions. The Detroit Lions are playing with the best deck of cards they’ve held since the Wayne Fontes era. Coincidentally, their last playoff win.

Let’s quickly brush up on some Darrell Bevell history;