Lions approval ratings: Martin Mayhew (June 2013)

After the 2011 season, Martin Mayhew was on top of the football world. The Detroit Lions were coming off of their first playoff appearance since 1999, signaling their return to relevance and respectability. Mayhew took a franchise that went 0-16 in 2008 and built them into a playoff team in just a few short years, and it looked like winning football was here to stay in Detroit.

Fast forward to now and things are much different for Mayhew. After the Lions fell apart in 2012 and went 4-12, Mayhew once again had to face the prospect of rebuilding the team this offseason. He was very active in free agency, and he is hoping this year's draft class will turn out to be much better than some of his earlier ones, which played a big role in why the Lions are in the position of once again having to rebuild.

Because of what happened in 2012 on and off the field, Mayhew drew a lot of criticism heading into this offseason. However, the bandwagon for him to be replaced wasn't nearly as large as the one calling for the firing of head coach Jim Schwartz. In that regard, more people blamed Schwartz for 2012 than Mayhew, but both are now entering a make-or-break season. If the Lions have a repeat of 2012, both could be looking for work in 2014.

As the Lions continue to get ready for the 2013 season, what is your stance on Mayhew? You've had five months since the disappointing 2012 season came to a close, and Mayhew has done a lot to improve the Lions' roster in that time. That doesn't erase what happened last season, but overall, do you approve of what he is doing as the Lions' general manager? Vote in the poll below and leave your thoughts in the comments.