Report: Lions hire Pats director of pro scouting Bob Quinn as GM

The Detroit Lions will reportedly hire New England Patriots director of pro scouting Bob Quinn as their next general manager.

The Detroit Lions will hire New England Patriots director of pro scouting Bob Quinn as their next general manager, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Lions went 7–9 last season and were without a general manager since firing Martin Mayhew after a 1–7 start to the year. They will tap Quinn, who has worked within the New England organization since 2000, to helm their rebuilding project.

Quinn started with the Patriots as a player personnel assistant under Bill Belichick and worked his way up through the team’s scouting infrastructure, becoming director of pro scouting in 2012. The Patriots, one of the league’s perennially successful franchises, have made the playoffs seven straight years and won Super Bowls in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2014.

Detroit made the postseason in 2014, but has not won a playoff game since 1991. Quinn’s regime could begin with a big setback, as star wide receiver Calvin Johnson is reportedly considering retirement at age 30.

- Jeremy Woo