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Ranking every NFL head coach vacancy for 2021 season

By Leigh Oleszczak

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Eric Saubert #85 and Doug Costin #58 of the Jacksonville Jaguars enter the field before the start of a game against the Chicago Bears at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Eric Saubert #85 and Doug Costin #58 of the Jacksonville Jaguars enter the field before the start of a game against the Chicago Bears at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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Ranking every NFL head coach vacancy for 2021 season
Detroit Lions (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

5. Detroit Lions

The Lions had a chance to draft either Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert with the No. 3 overall pick last year and instead took Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah. It was hard to blame them there, as they still felt confident in Matthew Stafford moving forward and Okudah was the best corner in the draft.

Detroit is likely kicking themselves for passing on those two quarterbacks now, especially Herbert, as it looks like Stafford could be traded this offseason. That might be in the Lions’ best interest, as the new head coach probably won’t want a 32-year-old quarterback in their rebuild. Stafford likely doesn’t want that either and deserves a chance to win somewhere in the final stretch of his career.

Detroit also doesn’t have a great cap situation, so a quick fix isn’t going to happen in the Motor City. The Lions hold the No. 7 pick in the draft, which they might decide to spend on a quarterback, but even if they do, he might not be ready to play right away. This team has a lot of question marks moving forward and similar to the Falcons job, patience will be key with this hire.

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