Detroit Lions: Is Matt Patricia’s Seat Getting Hot With A Loss Sunday?

I remember being more excited about the hiring of Matt Patricia then maybe any other hire in Detroit Sports history other than Larry Brown for the Pistons. Matt Patricia seemed like the perfect fit under GM Bob Quinn to turn around a historically inept Detroit Lions franchise.

You heard about him transforming how New England scouted and developed its players, heard about how much Uncle Bill loved his nephew as his understudy defensive coordinator. About how he was the most sought after head coach of the 2018 offseason… and the Detroit Lions got him. Something that seems unlikely without the Bob Quinn relationship. It felt like we just lucked our way into our first NFL competent front office and coaching tandem in…a long time.

After going 6-10 in his first season, the Detroit Lions didn’t win its season opener in what was supposed to be the easiest game on the schedule, before all the injuries to the Cardinals. It’s not just the fact that they lost the win, but rather how they lost that win. It looked like every other S.O.L meltdown you’ve seen your whole life as if nothing has changed. But this isn’t about one game, if they lose, this would be about his entire tenure with the Lions.

Matt Patricia was handed a winning football team that went 9-7 in the two previous seasons before him. Under Jim Caldwell’s four years the Lions were 36-28 while making the playoffs twice. They would have had a playoff win as well without a referee picking up a certain flag. If you want to see a coach improve his team, the two seasons before Jim Caldwell the Lions won just seven and four games. Progress is the key here.

More from Detroit Lions

• Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
• Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
• Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
• Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
• Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game

Not only were they winning, but Matt Patricia was also gifted a franchise quarterback in his first head coaching gig. Talk about a lucky break. With most new head coaches, their first major asset (or two) goes into finding their quarterback. Patricia had the luxury of the Lions being able to draft Frank Ragnow and/or Kerryon Johnson in his first season instead.

Which brings me to my most frustrating point. Bob Quinn has continued to do his job and has now more talent on this team than anything Caldwell or Schwartz had to work with. You could argue last seasons turnaround was more because of Quinn than anyone on the coaching staff robbing the New York Giants of Damon Harrison at gunpoint.

So with a loss Sunday, is Matt Patricia’s seat getting hot?

As far as the fans are concerned? Absolutely. There is zero doubt in my mind that Lions fans will be calling for heads if this team can’t beat a depleted Chargers team at home to go 0-1-1. I’m not going to blame them either. You have to show progress, especially with more talent. While the roster and philosophy have been good on paper, something is missing to bring it out, that is what coaches are for.

As far as his bosses are concerned? Probably not. I don’t think the Lions fire Patricia short of total collapse with equal or less than last seasons win total of six. But, if the season does start to go down that road, something like starting much worse than 0-1-1… I would have to think the thought would be crossing Martha’s mind, which is the definition of a hot seat.

As far as I’m concerned? No head coach gets to take over a team that averaged 9 wins in its previous 4 seasons. Going 6-10 in his first season, then 0-1-1 in their second season without their seat getting warm. Seats get cherry red after one losing season in most cities with worse rosters than this Lions team. I’m not calling for Matt Patricia’s job if the Lions lose Sunday, but it will be the first time I’m turning on the seat warmers at least.

If Matt Patricia can’t get his team up to beat another injury-riddled Chargers team, this time in their home opener, either he can’t motivate, or the players are tired of listening to a failing message. It will be very telling how his players react this week.

I think the Lions come out with their hair on fire and physically dominate the Chargers at Ford Field as I believe week one was more about conditioning than a scheme or buy-in. The Detroit Lions know they let one slip away on a hard schedule which makes this is about as an important week two outcome you could ask for. Not only for the season standings but for the players, coaches, franchise…hell even for the fans.

There is a real sense of apathy starting to happen again with this city, and it’s a professional football team. The good, loyal fans are about the only thing the Detroit Lions have had going for them for the past 60 years, without them it’s hideous.

Most importantly though– this is a vital week two outcome for Matt Patricia as he needs this win to keep his footing with this team mentally. Losing is cancer to a coaches message. Player buy-in is real and really helps you win games.

When the players start to lose that, it goes downhill extremely quick at the professional level. Hard to tell exactly how much buy-in cache Patricia has built up with his players. But I promise you, losing again on Sunday would be a big hit to it.