Normally Bob Quinn doesn’t get to spend much time with his beloved kids during the months leading up to the NFL Draft. Such is the life of an NFL GM in the normal grind of draft preparation.
That changed this year, thanks to the coronavirus quarantine. Quinn, like everyone else in the Lions organization, worked from home. The unusual process led Quinn to a bit of an epiphany. Maybe all those hours spent away from loved ones isn’t the best way to operate.
“This could be a good lesson for us to have a good balance in our lives in the offseason, knowing that the draft is critically important to what we do, but maybe we can tone down the hours and work smarter rather than longer, maybe do a few things virtually a day or two a week,” Quinn said in his post-draft conference call.
Quinn continued,
“It’s hard being a coach in this league, it’s hard being a scout in this league, it’s hard being a G.M. in this league when you’re away all the time or in the office all the time. If we can figure out a better work/life balance for the months of February, March and April, I’m all for it. So as the leader of the organization on the football-side of it, myself and Coach (Patricia), we’re going to look at it and see what we can do for our employees to make their lives a little better.”
It would be a welcome change, and not just during the draft process. During the season it’s not uncommon for coaches to spend up to 18 hours a day at the team facility in Allen Park. The concept of working remotely and using technology to help achieve a better work-life balance is definitely something Quinn, and all NFL GMs, should strongly consider.
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