Mike Daniels Discusses Why He Really Picked Lions After Being Cut by Packers

Mike Daniels is a former Pro Bowl DT who at 30 years of age still believes he has plenty to give. Yet, the Green Bay Packers felt differently, and cut him due to his price tag at the start of training camp.

With just weeks to find a job, Daniels was pursued by over a dozen teams, but chose to remain in the Packers division and sign with the Detroit Lions. Packers fans likely weren't happy with this move, but that's the cost of bad business.

Daniels now insists he chose the Lions not to slight the Packers, but because of head coach Matt Patricia.

Mike Daniels asked why he picked Detroit. “Coach Patricia, straight up. He’s just a genius, he really is. He understands the game of football, he knows what it takes. To be able to play for a coach like that, it means everything.”
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) July 28, 2019

Patricia is a defensive guru, and under his tenure the Lions have had no trouble attracting free agents, especially defensively.

While the Lions struggled in Year 1 under Patricia, much of that was due to the lack of appropriate personnel. After a full offseason to prepare, we should expect the former Patriots DC to lead an improved roster to the brink of real contention.

Mike Daniels on Matt Patricia: ‘He’s a genius’

You have to hear what the Lions’ new DT said about his new head coach: https://t.co/1OlCw14YMe
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) July 28, 2019

While USA Today expects Detroit to have a dismal season, those who actually play the game seem to think differently.