Matthew Stafford Reflects on Detroit Lions’ Coaching Misses, Suggests Missed Coordinator Hires May Have Slowed Team’s Progress for Years

Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford recently made headlines with comments that offer a sobering reflection on his time in the Motor City. While speaking candidly on a podcast appearance, Stafford didn’t mince words when asked about the team’s organizational struggles during his tenure. Among the key points he raised, one stood out: the Lions, at critical junctures, missed out on hiring quality coordinators — a mistake that, in his view, set the franchise back significantly.

Stafford, who now plays for the Los Angeles Rams and led them to a Super Bowl victory in 2022, has always been known for his poise and professionalism, rarely throwing shade or making controversial remarks. So when he chose to address the Lions’ past coaching decisions, it carried significant weight. His comments weren’t made out of bitterness or spite, but from a place of honesty and reflection after more than a decade in Detroit.

“Looking back, I think we had some chances to really put the right guys in place,” Stafford said. “Not just at head coach, but coordinators — the guys who build the offense, who run the defense, who help players grow week-to-week. And sometimes we didn’t get those hires right. That matters more than people think.”

To those familiar with Stafford’s time in Detroit, this isn’t news — but hearing it from him confirms what many fans and analysts have long believed. During his 12 seasons in Detroit, Stafford played under several head coaches, including Jim Schwartz, Jim Caldwell, and Matt Patricia. Each brought in their own staff of coordinators, some with success, others with less-than-stellar results. The inconsistency in offensive and defensive philosophies, compounded by frequent staff changes, often left Stafford and his teammates adjusting to new playbooks and schemes year after year.

Take the example of Jim Bob Cooter, who was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2015 and retained for several years despite inconsistent results. While he had moments of success with Stafford, many questioned whether Cooter was maximizing the quarterback’s immense arm talent. Others believed the offense lacked creativity and failed to evolve as other NFL teams embraced more dynamic and explosive play-calling. On the defensive side, the carousel was even more noticeable, with coordinators like Teryl Austin, Paul Pasqualoni, and Cory Undlin all cycling through without leaving a lasting imprint on the team’s identity.

Stafford didn’t name names in his recent comments, but the underlying message was clear: Detroit’s failure to secure elite coordinators was a missed opportunity. And in a league where coaching often determines a team’s ceiling, those decisions had lasting repercussions.

In contrast, Stafford’s success in Los Angeles came almost immediately after joining a team with a strong coaching infrastructure. Under head coach Sean McVay — widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL — Stafford thrived. He posted some of the best numbers of his career in 2021 and led the Rams to a Super Bowl title, silencing critics who questioned his ability to win in big moments. The difference? Coaching.

“It’s not about just drawing up plays,” Stafford continued. “It’s how you teach it, how you adapt to your players, how you adjust in-game. That’s all on the coordinators and staff. In L.A., everything was detailed. Everyone was on the same page. That’s how you win in this league.”

The Lions, of course, have undergone a massive culture shift in recent years under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes. Since taking over in 2021, the duo has brought a no-nonsense, player-first approach that has earned them league-wide respect. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, in particular, has been instrumental in turning Detroit’s offense into one of the NFL’s most potent units. Under Johnson’s guidance, quarterback Jared Goff — who was part of the Stafford trade — has experienced a career resurgence. The offensive line is dominant, the run game is efficient, and the passing game is creative and balanced.

It’s hard not to wonder what might have been if Stafford had such a coordinator during his prime years in Detroit. Fans often imagine a timeline where Stafford and Johnson worked together — a combination of arm talent and schematic brilliance that could’ve brought postseason success to Detroit much sooner. Instead, Stafford toiled through years of missteps and organizational instability, only to find validation elsewhere.

That contrast isn’t lost on Lions fans, many of whom remain deeply appreciative of Stafford and the dedication he showed during his time with the franchise. Even through losing seasons, roster rebuilds, and front-office changes, Stafford stayed loyal and gave his all on the field. His toughness was legendary — playing through injuries, making clutch throws, and often being the only reason the Lions were competitive in games they had no business staying in.

His recent comments, however, don’t come off as a lament. Rather, they seem like an attempt to shed light on a truth that many within the NFL understand all too well: the margins between winning and losing are razor thin, and coaching makes a bigger difference than most fans realize.

In Detroit’s case, the consequences of hiring the wrong coordinators weren’t just losses on the field — they were missed opportunities for growth, stability, and postseason relevance. Each new regime brought a new vision, and with it, new systems. That constant turnover made it difficult for players to develop continuity or for the team to build a consistent identity.

The NFL is a league of relationships. Quarterbacks and offensive coordinators, in particular, need to share a vision and speak the same language. When Stafford finally got that with McVay, the results spoke for themselves. For too long in Detroit, that alignment simply didn’t exist.

That’s what makes Ben Johnson’s emergence so exciting for the current Lions roster — and, frankly, so bittersweet for Stafford-era fans. Johnson was reportedly pursued for multiple head coaching vacancies this offseason but ultimately decided to return to Detroit. His presence offers rare continuity for a team that’s spent decades searching for it. If the Lions can retain him and keep the momentum going, they have a real shot to become a perennial contender — something that eluded them during Stafford’s time despite his immense talent.

For Stafford, the chapter in Detroit is closed. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still care. His recent reflections show he remains emotionally invested in the team and its success. He sees the potential now being realized — and, perhaps, wonders what could have been if just a few things had gone differently.

“There were a lot of great players, great teammates during my time there,” he said. “We wanted to win so badly. Sometimes the pieces just didn’t line up the way they needed to.”

There’s no resentment in his voice — just realism. Stafford is one of the most talented quarterbacks of his generation, and his legacy in Detroit is complicated but deeply respected. He holds nearly every passing record in franchise history and was a face of stability during years of uncertainty.

Now, as the Lions finally turn a corner under a new regime, Stafford’s words serve as a reminder of how difficult the climb can be without the right people in place. His time in Detroit was filled with what-ifs, but his honesty provides valuable perspective for a franchise that appears to be learning from its past.

As Detroit looks to the future — a future full of promise — Stafford’s reflections offer both a cautionary tale and a testament to perseverance. The missed coordinator hires he referenced weren’t just about X’s and O’s; they were missed opportunities to elevate a quarterback and a team that had more potential than the record books will ever fully show.