The murmurs began during Matt Patricia's first training camp in Detroit, and they've since spilled into the public. The picture painted by several former Lions is that Patricia's overbearing style alienates his players.
"His attitude, his persona, his arrogance, things like that made people not really want to buy in," said former captain Glover Quin.
Former captain Quandre Diggs has spoken out, too. The loudest was three-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay, who said after being traded last month that he had 'no respect' for Patricia thanks to a couple ugly incidents in 2018.
That's without mentioning some lesser-known players, like former tight end Hakeem Valles, who accused Patricia of 'creating a culture based on fear.'
So, Bob Quinn, is this a problem?
"I'd say no," Detroit's GM told the local media during a pre-draft conference call Friday. "I haven't talked about it a ton, but you can go ask anybody in the locker room right now what they think of coach and how he runs the team, and they're 100 percent behind him. You can't make everybody happy in this business in terms of how you do certain things."
Quin Says Patricia's 'Patriots Attitude' Sent Lions Downhill
The common thread between Patricia's critics is that they're no longer on the team. The players in the locker room now, said Quinn, "are the guys that wanted to be here." According to Quinn, several of the Lions free agent signings this offseason reached out to the team to express interest in playing for Patricia.
"Obviously we liked them as players, but in the weeks leading up to free agency those guys had their agent call me and say, 'Hey, my guy wants to be there and play for coach,'" said Quinn.
Diggs: Lions Traded Me To 'Control Voices In Locker Room'
That would likely include former Pro-Bowl LB Jamie Collins, who thrived under Patricia in New England, and former Pro-Bowl CB Desmond Trufant, who said he has 'a lot of respect' for his new coach. And then there was safety Duron Harmon, acquired by the Lions in a trade with the Patriots.
"I've never seen a player more excited to be traded -- and we've done a lot trades here since I've been here -- than Duron Harmon," said Quinn. "I mean, he was literally jumping out of my FaceTime wanting to come out here immediately. So I have no concerns with that at all."
In their quest to establish a new culture, Quinn and Patricia have turned over most of Detroit's roster since Patricia arrived. The players they have now -- head-down, all-business -- are the players they want. Patricia, in particular, believes the desired culture is taking shape.
If so, it better pay off in 2020.
