Jim Caldwell's tenure with the Detroit Lions can mostly be seen as a success through three seasons.
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The Lions have made the playoffs in two of the last three years, and though Caldwell hasn't won a playoff game with the franchise, quarterback Matthew Stafford has made serious improvements under his watch.
However, Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated believes Caldwell might be on the hot seat entering 2017. Burke said Caldwell is "safe-ish" right now, but he labeled Caldwell's seat as lukewarm after this analysis.
"Current Detroit GM Bob Quinn did not hire Caldwell, nor has he—at least to the knowledge of anyone outside the organization—extended Caldwell's contract beyond this coming season," Burke said. This may not be a playoffs-or-bust situation, but it's also not a lock that Caldwell sticks."
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The reason Caldwell might be on the hot seat is because some analysts believe the Lions had a very successful offseason.
A Sports Illustrated offseason report card by Jonathan Jones gave the Lions an "A," and it was mainly based off additions made on the defensive side of the ball.
"The upgrades on defense should allow Detroit to get over the hump of ordinary team hanging on in the playoffs to one that can actually get its first postseason victory in more than a quarter-century," Jones said.
The rest of the NFC North received "B" grades for the offseason.
If the Lions finish last in the NFC North, Caldwell could be in trouble. But if the Lions are in the playoff hunt again, it's hard to imagine Caldwell being let go by the franchise.
(h/t The Detroit News)
