Amid Detroit's preparations this week for Saturday's Wild Card playoff game in Seattle, questions popped up about head coach Jim Caldwell's future with the organization.
The Lions put any speculation to rest Wednesday by confirming that Caldwell will return for a fourth season in Detroit in 2017, no matter what happens Saturday against the Seahawks.
Caldwell is 27-21 in three seasons since taking over in 2014, and has guided the Lions to the playoffs in two (2014 and 2016) of those three seasons. Caldwell's .563 winning percentage is the best among full-time Lions coaches in the Super Bowl era. Only Gary Moeller, who went 4-3 as interim Lions head coach in 2000, has a better winning percentage than Caldwell.
"You know what, it's not about me," Caldwell told reporters Tuesday when asked about his job status. "I'm more interested in this team and that focus.
"Our business is always skepticism and those kinds of things. It's a challenging business, that's what makes it fun, you know? It's not for the faint of heart. You better be willing to take on challenges and understand that you're expected to win."
About an hour later, quarterback Matthew Stafford threw his support behind his head coach.
"I think everybody in our locker room enjoys playing for him," Stafford said. "He's an honest guy, an upfront guy. "I think he's a heck of a coach. I enjoy playing for him."
The Lions will kick things off against the Seahawks in Seattle at 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday night.
