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24 hours ago, it looked like Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could be the top contender for the Detroit Lions head coach job. Now it looks like they can probably cross it off their list altogether.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Smith canceled his second interview with the Lions and is now focused primarily on making a deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Smith met with the Falcons for a second interview on Wednesday and his first with the Eagles on Thursday. It looks like the Falcons don’t want to risk more interviews. For ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Falcons have already made an offer to Smith.
This leaves the Lions in a precarious situation. They have yet to conduct a single second interview with any of their nominees, and now that Robert Saleh has recently agreed to become the next New York Jets coach, Detroit’s search is shrinking fast.
Among other coaches available, the Lions only interviewed Marvin Lewis, Eric Bieniemy, Darrell Bevell and Dan Campbell. They also held an interview for Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Friday.
Will the next Lions head coach come out of that five-candidate pool or is there a pending coach who still hasn’t publicly entered the fray? There is always a chance that new GM Brad Holmes will convince the Lions to interview Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley – Dave Birkett said her name appeared in Detroit’s second interview with Holmes– but Detroit won’t be able to do that until Los Angeles is in the playoffs. There’s always also a chance that the Lions will be eyeing someone in the college ranks.
Whichever they choose, it looks like some of their best options are landing elsewhere.
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