Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Lions sign GM Bob Quinn to extension days after hiring Matt Patricia

Days after the Detroit Lions officially hired Matt Patricia as their head coach, the team also decided to make more of a commitment to general manager Bob Quinn.

Quinn's extension now matches the length of Patricia's contract, which Lions president Rod Wood would describe only as a "long-term" deal when he spoke with reporters Wednesday. ESPN Insider Adam Schefter tweeted that this links the Lions to Patricia and Quinn for five seasons, through 2022.

"The contract extension for Bob is most deserving as he continues to lead and improve our football team," Wood said in a statement released Friday by the Lions. "It is also important for our entire organization to ensure stability as we move forward with Matt as our new Head Coach working in partnership with Bob. Moreover, I greatly enjoy my relationship and partnership with Bob. We both look forward to a bright future for the Detroit Lions."

Quinn and Wood spent considerable time together over the past month as they traveled the country interviewing candidates before deciding on Patricia, the former New England Patriots defensive coordinator.

Wood and Quinn represent a leadership change that began for the Lions in November 2015, after the franchise fired team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew. Detroit hired Wood later that month and took a week after the 2015 season to select Quinn as the general manager.

Quinn kept Jim Caldwell for two seasons before firing him as head coach on Jan. 1. The Lions then hired Patricia, with whom he had great familiarity, earlier this week.

"My goals and vision remain unchanged and I will continue to work diligently at improving this team and every facet of the football operation," Quinn said in a statement. "Coach Patricia and I will always work in close concert on any and all football-related matters. That process is underway as our coaching and player personnel staffs are collectively preparing for the roster building phase of the off-season."

Quinn has spent the past two offseasons trying to build Detroit's roster. His key free-agent signings have been receiver Marvin Jones, right guard T.J. Lang and right tackle Rick Wagner. His best draft picks have been starting left tackle Taylor Decker (first round, 2016), All-Pro returner Jamal Agnew (fifth round, 2017) and linebacker Jarrad Davis (first round, 2017).

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