🏈 Lions DC Paul Pasqualoni and OL coach Jeff Davidson are “stepping away from football”

So the Lions will have more coaching vacancies to fill this offseason aside from the six that were fired last week.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, defensive coordinator Paul Pasualoni, as well as OL coach Jeff Davidson, have informed the team that they are “stepping away from football”.

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One day after the Lions announced six assistant coaching changes, there now are two more: DC Paul Pasqualoni and OL coach Jeff Davidson are stepping away from football.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2020

Interestingly enough, Pasqualoni commented last month that he “hopes” he coaching for a long time” and that he has “no intention of not working.”

That seems like a complete 180 given the statement Patricia gave regarding Pasqualoni today:

“Coach Pasqualoni notified me this week that he will be stepping away from the Lions to be closer to his family. Coach P is one of the best men I’ve ever been around, on both personal and professional levels. I owe him so much and I’m grateful of the impact he had on our players, coaches and support staff. He will continue to be a great sounding board for me as a coach, father and leader. I wish him and his family well as they begin the new year together.”

Meanwhile, Patricia’s statement on Davidson wasn’t all that different from Pasqualoni’s.

“Coach Davidson recently informed me that he will take an indefinite leave from coaching. Jeff was an invaluable resource to me during the past two seasons and his leadership will be greatly missed. He has left the door open to a coaching return in future years and I fully support his personal decision to spend time away from the game. I thank him for his dedication to our team and wish him and his family all the best.”

So who knows what’s going on with this situation. I’m not really buying the narrative the organization is putting out all things considered. My guess is the Lions gave them an ability to save face with resignation rather than a firing.

Whatever ever though. I could be wrong. The bottom line is the Lions are in a better position now than they were last week when it appeared they would be going into next season with both Pasqualoni and Davidson both in the fold.