Lions part ways with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter

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The Detroit Lions have parted ways with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.

In a release, the Lions have announced the team will not renew his contract with the team, which finished 6-10. 

Cooter, 34, was initially hired as a quarterbacks coach in 2014 and promoted to offensive coordinator during the 2015 season.  He was a holdover from the Jim Caldwell era thanks to the support from quarterback Matthew Stafford, but always struggled to have a balanced attack. 

Detroit won its finale 31-0 over Green Bay, but that was the only time in its last 10 games that the Lions scored more than 22 points.  Only two teams in the NFC scored fewer points than Detroit's 324.

Stafford threw 21 touchdown passes this season, also his lowest mark since 2010, and his passer rating of 89.9 was his lowest since 2014.

"I think there are games where we were able to execute well in the passing game, and obviously games where we didn't, and that's why we are where we are right now," Patricia said Monday. "We'll evaluate all of it."

During the 2016 season Cooter called plays for the 21st ranked total offense, who were 11th in passing and 30th in rushing.  In 2017, the Lions ranked 13th in total offense while having the 6th ranked passing attack and were dead last in the league in rushing.  The Lions finished the season ranked 24th in total offense with the 20th ranked passing offense and the 23rd ranked rushing offense.  

The Lions' offense also took a hit when they traded Golden Tate for a draft pick in October. Receiver Marvin Jones ended up going on injured reserve. So did running back Kerryon Johnson , who rushed for 641 yards in the 10 games he did play.

Although Patricia has only been the coach for one season, Detroit's decline from a 9-7 record in 2017 was stark enough that this should be an intriguing offseason. Now the Lions have a chance to reassess their offense as they move forward.

The Lions did not name a replacement at this time.  

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