Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's future in Detroit past 2015 is very much in doubt, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport. Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is reportedly safe as head coach of the team this season, as the organization is reportedly having a "total wipeout" today deciding who will be fired, according Rapoport.
Stafford has struggled this season and has thrown 13 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. The Lions former first round quarterback is currently on pace to throw more interceptions than he did his rookie year. Stafford has talented receivers in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, but he has failed to stay consistent since entering the NFL.
The Lions have reportedly fired general manager Martin Mayhew and president Tom Lewand, but more could be fired before the day is out. The Lions have clearly struggled this season and are just 1-7. The Lions haven't drafted a Pro-Bowl player in their past five drafts, and the organization likely needed a change.
The Lions made the postseason last year and had an 11-5 record in Caldwell's first season. Obviously, personnel has played a major impact on this team, and losing a player like Ndamukong Suh is clearly impacting their defense.
Caldwell will have time to turn this season around and at least finish with a respectable record. The Lions head coach can't be fully to blame, as he needs players to run his system. The Lions have made the playoffs twice in the past 15 years, and one of those seasons was under Caldwell.
While Caldwell clearly shoulders some of the blame, the hope for Lions fans is that they will get better players with a new general manager and president. The 2016 NFL Draft will be crucial for the Lions, as they clearly are starting from the ground up again. The Lions could target a quarterback in 2016, and college players like Paxton Lynch, Jared Goff and Connor Cook are rising on draft boards.
The Lions have had their share of injuries and other issues, but they have struggled in both the draft and the free agent market. It's unclear if Caldwell will still be around after this season, but he will have to prove something with the players he has if he wants to stay in Detroit long term. Both Stafford and Caldwell could be somewhere else next season, but as of right now, they have eight more games to prove themselves.
