When the Detroit Lions lost five-time Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata to a season-ending bicep injury in their Week Five defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers last season, their defense was never quite the same.
So, when Ngata opted not to re-sign in Detroit this offseason, opting instead to join the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles via free agency, it was a major loss for the Lions’ defense.
Enter in Matt Patricia, former defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, as the Lions’ new head coach. His mere presence is expected to lift Detroit’s defensive unit to new heights this upcoming season.