Lions fire GM Martin Mayhew, Pres. Tom Lewand (UPDATED)
(WJBK) - UPDATE: Both Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand have released statements:
Martin Mayhew: "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this organization, this community and the Ford family. I wish the team the absolute best this season and in the future."
Tom Lewand: "I want to thank Mrs. Ford and her family for the opportunity to serve the Lions organization and its great fans.
I'm particularly grateful to Bill Ford for allowing me to be a part of the unique vision he shared with his father to bring the Lions back to Detroit.
I have tremendous respect and appreciation for the dedicated players, coaches, and former colleagues who make the Lions and Ford Field special and wish all of them great success now and in the future."
The Detroit Lions have parted ways with General Manager Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand, FOX 2 Sports Director Dan Miller has confirmed.
"On an interim basis, Sheldon White will be acting general manager and will report directly to me," Martha Ford said Thursday afternoon at a news conference. "Allison Maki will be the interim COO and also report directly to me." She added that no changes have been made to the coaching staff. She did not take any questions.
You can watch a replay of her statement in the video player above.
Fans of the Lions had been calling for change, specifically for Mayhew to be relieved of duties after the 1-7 start by the Lions.
Last week, before the Lions left for London, the team fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and replaced him with Jim Bob Cooter. The shakeup didn't help in the first game as the Lions fell 45-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mayhew has been with the Lions since 2001. He was promoted to General Manager when former GM Matt Millen was fired in 2008. Mayhew is responsible for selecting Matthew Stafford as the number 1 overall pick in 2009 as well as TE Brandon Pettigrew in 2014.
Lewand was named team president the same day and oversaw the team's day-to-day operations.
The news of the firings was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter on Twitter.
Speculation has turned to the future of head coach Jim Caldwell and the players, specifically quarterback Matthew Stafford. At least one Lions insider is not confident that Stafford could be returning.