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Lions announced Martha Firestone Ford stepping down as owner

The Lions have struggled the past two seasons since hiring Matt Patricia as head coach. It’s safe to say he is on the hot seat.

By David Fucillo
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Detroit Lions Owner and Chairman Mrs. Martha Firestone Ford and her daughter Vice Chairman Sheila Ford Hamp prior to the game on Sunday afternoon, Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday that owner Martha Firestone Ford will be stepping down as owner. Her daughter Sheila Ford Hamp will replace her as the team’s principal owner and chairperson.

It is unclear what this means for head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn. Since Patricia took over as head coach in 2018, the Lions are 9-22-1, with records of 6-10 in 2018 and 3-12-1 in 2019. Since Quinn took over as GM in 2016, the Lions are 27-36-1, with records of 9-7 in 2016 and 2017.

Both are likely on the hot seat this year, although Patricia might be more so given the more recent struggles since he was hired. Matthew Stafford was injured for much of last season and is expected to be fully healthy in 2020. If the team stays relatively healthy, this would seem to be a make or break season for Patricia and Quinn, even if there had not been a change in principal owner.

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