Detroit Lions: Three players that need to be released in 2020
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions will enter the 2020 season with a ‘win-now’ mentality even more so than usual. Team president Rod Wood and owner Martha Firestone-Ford claim the GM and head coach are firmly on the hot seat.
Sure, this win-now mentality line should make anyone chuckle. Isn’t that how every NFL franchise should enter the season? Well, when you are an organization that hasn’t won a playoff game since 1991, it’s the little things that keep you amused, I guess. The Detroit Lions haven’t won a title since 1957, and after winning just nine games over the last two seasons, they don’t appear close to competing at the moment.
That being said, it’s much too early to give up on 2020 already. Call me foolish if you’d like. Although Matt Patricia doesn’t exactly give me hope, Darrell Bevell and the Detroit Lions offense certainly keeps me optimistic.
You need many things to win in the NFL, but nothing is more important than a franchise quarterback. That’s something the Detroit Lions DO have whether you are pro-Stafford or not, you have to admit it could be a lot worse. There are plenty of teams that are continually going through quarterbacks never finding any stability, Detroit seems to finally have the perfect play-caller in Stafford’s ear.
Darrell Bevell was fantastic through the first eight weeks of the season, helping Matt navigate his way through games. Stafford ended the season with 19 touchdown passes in just eight games. The league leader finished the season with 36 touchdown passes – you do the math. Amazingly, Kenny Golladay (11) led the NFL in touchdown receptions playing just eight weeks with Matt. Yet the man still gets snubbed from the pro-bowl. Marvin Jones also finished the year with 9 TD’s good for 3rd in the league.
There are plenty of bright spots throughout this Detroit Lions roster; Matt Patricia needs to do a better job with his defense. Bob Quinn needs to start cleaning the house and providing his head coach with a few better puzzle pieces as the team enters the 2020 season.
If Martha Firestone Ford is serious about this being a do or die season for the Detroit Lions staff here are a few players that need to be cut and upgraded this offseason;