Former Patriots Offensive Assistant and Tight Ends Coach George Godsey heading to Detroit

In an odd move that was first reported on Tuesday by MMQB's Albert Breer, the Lions have hired former Texans OC George Godsey to the title of "Defensive Assistant/Special Projects".

The move confutes predictions by some that the vacancy left behind by Brian Daboll (now Alabama's OC) would be filled by the recently jettisoned Godsey, who held the same Tight Ends Coach title in Foxborough from 2012-2013 before joining Bill O'Brien in Houston to coach his quarterbacks. The vacancy is more likely than ever to now be filled from within the Patriots organization.

Godsey's hiring on Tuesday reunites him with current Lions GM and former Patriots organization colleague Bob Quinn. Regardless of the unusual “Defensive Assistant” portion of Godsey’s title (considering he has zero defensive coaching experience at the college or professional levels), Quinn could simply be attempting to acquire as much like-minded personnel as possible as he looks to build the Lions into a consistent contender.

The Lions made the playoffs in 2016 for the second time in three seasons, but failed to advance — a trend that has plagued the team throughout its history. The organization has a single playoff victory (1991) in its 12 appearances since 1957.

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