Matthew Stafford made a public plea following Detroit’s Week 17 win in Chicago -- a victory in which he completed 28-of-39 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns -- for head coach Jim Caldwell and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter to keep their jobs.
"Jim Bob and I see the game the same way," Stafford said at the time.
Stafford had just finished the best eight-game stretch by any quarterback in Lions history, completing 70 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 110.1 passer rating dating back to the midway point of the season, when Cooter took over as offensive coordinator.