The Detroit Lions were on the rise until new leadership took over
DETROIT, Mich. — In 2017 the Detroit Lions were coming off a 9-7 season in which they finished second in the NFC North with Jim Caldwell as their head coach.
The Lions had a relatively talented roster who respected their coach and had many leaders on the field in Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate III, Darius Slay, Glover Quin, and Matt Prater.
This all changed when General Manager Bob Quinn chose to fire head coach Jim Caldwell and hire New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
Heading into a new era, many people were overly optimistic on the Lions.
Their 2018 first-round pick Frank Ragnow was getting ready to play his first season in Detroit and he would go onto become the highest paid center in the NFL.
With tight end Eric Ebron headed to the Colts in free agency, Detroit picked up Luke Willson to help in the passing and run game at tight end.
Running back Kerryon Johnson was taken in the second round out of Auburn to help give Matthew Stafford a run game.
The Lions also remade the linebacker positions by picking up Devon Kennard to take over for Tahir Whitehead.
Quandre Diggs was converted from slot cornerback to safety where his career took off while the Lions also took current starting safety Tracy Walker in the third round of that year’s draft.
With Detroit on the outside looking in at the 2018 playoffs, Golden Tate was shipped off to Philadelphia.
The Lions also acquired defensive tackle Damon Harrison from the New York Giants.
The 2018 season would close with Detroit finishing last in the NFC North with a 6-10 record, the best record in the Quinn/Patricia era.
In the offseason, another former Patriot in Danny Ammendola was brought in.
The offensive line was also shaken up with TJ Lang retiring and Kenny Wiggins filling in at guard.
The Lions took tight end TJ Hockenson in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, and he would develop into a pro bowler.
In the same draft, the Lions would also select linebacker Jahlani Tavai who would go on to be one of the biggest busts in team history.
Kerryon Johnson also stepped into the lead running back role.
The Lions also reimagined their edge rushing scheme by claiming Romeo Okwara off waivers and signing Trey Flowers to a five year contract totaling $90 million.
Justin Coleman and Amani Oruwariye were brought in to help Slay in the secondary.
During the season, standout safety Quandre Diggs was traded to Seattle for a draft pick.
Detroit would get worse and finish with a record of 3-12-1 in 2019.
To make matters worse Detroit traded star cornerback Darius Slay to the Eagles for draft picks that would become starting guard Jonah Jackson and receiver Quintez Cephus in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 2020 offseason would mark the beginning of even more change as Sheila Ford took over ownership duties from her parents.
On the offensive line there would be three new starters including free agent Halapoulivaati Vaitai as Graham Glasgow would go to the Broncos and Rick Wagner was released.
D’Andre Swift was taken in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, taking over at running back and has been developing into one of the better backs in the league.
Linebacker Jaime Collins was signed to a three year contract for $30 million after coming over from New England.
The secondary was rebuilt with first round pick Jeff Okudah and free agent cornerback Desmond Trufant on each side with Oruwariye in the slot.
Duron Harmon was brought and longtime punter Sam Martin moved on to Denver as rookie Jack Fox would take over.
This would be the final run for the Patricia and Quinn as they were fired shortly after Thanksgiving.
Darrell Bevell finished the season as the Lions coach where they would finish with a record of 5-11 in last place in the NFC North.
Then before the offseason began Brad Holmes was hired to be the general manager and Dan Campbell was hired as head coach.
Former first round pick Frank Ragnow was also signed to an extension that would make him the highest paid center in the league.
Longtime quarterback and franchise icon Matthew Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for quarterback Jared Goff and two first round picks.
The receiver room would get an extreme makeover too as Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., and Danny Ammendola all left in free agency, paving the way for Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and Amon-Ra St. Brown to take over.
On the offensive line Jonah Jackson would become a full-time starter while 2021 first round pick Penei Sewell could start at right tackle.
In the backfield Swift was joined by Jamaal Williams and Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee fullback Jason Cabinda.
The defensive line would also get a makeover as Michael Brockers was brought over from the Rams and Detroit drafted Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone came from New Orleans to lead the defense while draft pick Derrick Barnes continues to develop.
At cornerback Amani Oruwariye slowly developed into one of the better cornerbacks in the league and rookies Ifeatu Melifonwu and Jerry Jacobs made big impacts.
The special teams units also got a shake up as Austin Siebert took over the kicking duties from Matt Prater, Scott Daly took over at longsnapper for longtime Lion Don Muhlbach, and Kalif Raymond took over as the primary return man for all pro Jamal Agnew.
So far, the rebuild is in its early stages and the Lions are under .500 but the future is bright in Detroit.
