Let's Hope The Detroit Lions Hired Bob Quinn For The Right Reasons

Sources say the Detroit Lions are going to sign New England Patriots director of pro scouting Bob Quinn as their new general manager.

Bob Quinn and #Lions are working out final details of his contract now. The #Patriots executive had Bill Belichick's support. That helped

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2016

Since this is the Lions — you know, a team that rarely gets anything right — one can only hope they’re hiring him for the right reasons — not because they’re in love with the organization he’s from.

The Patriots dazzle with multiple Super Bowl titles and Pro Bowlers. Losing teams like Detroit want to emulate that, and when they have a chance to, they just may jump at anything hurled their way. If the Lions hired Quinn simply predicated on his New England affiliation, they’re making a mistake.

You want to hire a GM because you like his football mind. You see his visions and agree with his plans. He’s the guy who can be entrusted to make the right calls. If he’s solely someone who’s from an organization you admire, he may not be what you’re looking for.

Quinn does have experience, though, which is comforting to hear. He served as a regional scout for four years and a national scout for one before becoming an assistant director of pro personnel in 2009. It’s said that he’s one of Bill Belichick‘s most trusted guys.

So, we can’t write this one off just yet. We can only hope that the Lions are hiring someone because he’s not only from a good organization, but is qualified as well.

Skepticism will always follow the Lions around like a foreboding shadow. It will only change if they finally make the right changes and dispatch their losing ways. Quinn has a good resume and reputation.

Let’s hope his GM decisions only further those.