Before the COVID-19 pandemic had NFL coaches and front-office executives working from home during free agency, the draft and the early stages of this year's offseason program, before they were indirectly forced to reflect on the long-standing flaws of their work-life balance, the Mularkey family had been ahead of the curve, waiting for their colleagues to catch up.
Mike Mularkey, a former tight end who recently retired after a 25-year coaching career, and son Patrick, the Southwest area scout for the Detroit Lions, always have made it a point to put family ahead of football, despite the tremendous demands of working in the league.