Lions fans slam Bill Belichick on crediting Matt Patricia for team's success - "That's why nobody will hire him to be HC" 

After being passed on by every team hunting for a new head in the offseason, Bill Belichick opted to spend the 2024 campaign as a TV analyst and a podcaster. He shares his insights and anecdotes about the game and his illustrious career.

While his takes and breakdowns are usually unanimously revered, one of his statements about the Detroit Lions did not sit well with the franchise's fans. On the latest episode of "The Let's Go" podcast, he claimed that Matt Patricia, who was the New England Patriots' defensive and offensive coordinator under him, played a role in helping create the Lions' exceptional offensive line.

"I think that the Lions have built a really good offensive line for their quarterback, and they couldn't get a lot of production in the red area last week but that's something that Matt Patricia started and now they're kind of getting the fruits of the labor from him," Belichick on the Let's Go Podcast

Lions fans vehemently disagreed about Belichick's take on Patricia, who was the team's head coach from 2018 to 2020. They called him out on X about it:

While some attacked Belichick, others thrashed Patricia after being reminded of his tenure as the team's head coach:

"They completely tore everything down to the studs after [Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia] left. Ragnow was only positive from that era." - Wrote @DeejTwo

"If he means that Patricia’s tenure was the impetus for total razing of the organization, then maybe." - Opined @The_Hank_S

"[Patricia is] one of the worst coaches I've ever seen at any level. Probably the worst".- Said @c_shinabarger

Is Matt Patricia responsible for the Lions' O-line success?

Of the Lions' five starting offensive linemen, only two were on the roster in Patricia's final season as the franchise's head coach. Left tackle Taylor Decker, who arrived in Detroit in 2016, and center Frank Ragnow, who was the Lions' first-round pick in the coach's maiden draft in 2018.

Left guard Graham Glasgow was a third-round pick in the 2016 draft and was with Detroit when Patricia arrived. However, he left the team at the end of the 2019 season and spent three years with the Denver Broncos before returning last season. Right guard Kevin Zeitler and right tackle Penei Sewell arrived after the coach was fired.

Belichick's take on Patricia's role in helping build the Lions' offensive line is slightly exaggerated. Except for drafting Ragnow, he did not contribute much to helping build the exceptional unit.