But Ford isn't going to blow it up completely. He said in a statement Sunday that "he expects both Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew to return to the organization next season."

Lewand is the Lions' chief operating officer. Mayhew was promoted to general manager from assistant GM after Ford fired president Matt Millen three games into this season.

It is unclear whether Lewand and Mayhew will continue in their current roles. But they are expected to help Ford hire another executive, and it seems unlikely they would hire someone who would have power over them.

Mayhew declined to speak to reporters. But Lewand spoke in the locker room after the game.

Won't he and Mayhew just be an extension of the past?

"I think there's a point in time to talk about the future, and that's not now," Lewand said. "But I think it's safe to say that the way we've done things has not produced the results we've wanted on the field, and clearly we have to do things differently.

"I think Martin said it at the outset when he was named general manager, that we need to make better decisions, and that carries throughout the organization. We're going to move forward under that mantra."

Lewand declined to say if he would be part of discussions relating to the coaching staff's future.

"I'll choose to keep internal discussions exactly that, internal," Lewand said.

Asked if Ford will move quickly on that issue, Lewand said: "That's up to him, and we'll respect his decision-making process. We'll certainly be in close contact and discussion with him as he goes forward. In terms of specifics, the only thing we need to worry about right now is trying to beat the Green Bay Packers next week."