The Detroit Lions expected to part ways with Anthony Lynn is no surprise
By Bob Heyrman
After just one year of service, the Detroit Lions are expected to part ways with offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn.
These rumors should come as no surprise, and something many of us expected midseason after head coach Dan Campbell assumed the play-calling duties after Detroit’s lackluster 0-8 start.
The Detroit Lions are expected to part ways with Anthony Lynn.
Lynn took his demotion in the most respectful way possible.
"“I’ve been in Dan’s shoes, and if I was 0-8 and I need to spark my team, then as an offensive guy, I probably would’ve done the same thing, to be honest with you, and I have,” Lynn said. “I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t agree with what he did.”"
At the time, Campbell suggested it was a last-ditched effort to spark the Lions’ offense, also stating as the head coach, he wanted a direct line of communication to quarterback Jared Goff. Campbell claimed it was a way to gauge the temperature of his signal-caller.
The #Lions and OC Anthony Lynn are expected to part ways following today’s game, sources say. One of the more respected leaders as a HC, it was never a good fit as OC for Lynn in Detroit. He had play-calling duties stripped earlier, and now both sides appear set to walk away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2022
One thing I’m afraid I have to disagree with Ian on here is Lynn’s fit as offensive coordinator in Detroit. When the Detroit Lions hired Lynn to call the offensive, I was overly excited with the hire. Lynn spent 17 years as an assistant coach before getting his first opportunity to be a head coach in 2017 with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lynn was replaced as the Chargers decided to go in another direction despite finishing his tenure with a record above .500 (33-31).
One of the main reasons I had initially been excited about the Detroit Lions hiring Lynn was the overall potential of the running game. Lynn had been the offensive coordinator in Buffalo when LeSean McCoy appeared to be rejuvenated late in his career. Lynn also enjoyed a plethora of success with current Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III during their time in Los Angeles.
Understanding how dominant the Detroit Lions offensive line is, plus adding Jamaal Williams in free agency to the stellar dual-threat D’Andre Swift, had the makings of a top ten rushing offense. Instead, the Lions own the league’s 18th best rushing offense averaging 111.7 yards per game. Obviously, the Detroit Lions offense has had its limitations with Jared Goff under center, but he hasn’t had much help in the passing game this season.
The Detroit Lions are still in the market to add a top outside threat, and I expect they will try to fill that void via the NFL Draft or perhaps in free agency. The one consistent option as the season’s grown old is the emergence of rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown looks the part of a very reliable future number two option in the passing game.
Next. OCs the Detroit Lions need to consider hiring in 2022. dark
The Detroit Lions currently maintain the 22nd ranked offense, including the 28th ranked scoring offense.