Let me break down what the Lions just did by leaking that report to Schefter:
They announce that they want to retain Caldwell. Then, they go on to say that, "Well, the new GM will still make the final decision."
Oh, ok, sure. Put yourself in a potential GM's shoes: Go interview for a new position. When asked if you're going to keep Caldwell around, the same guy the ownership just said they want to retain, how many of you are going to say "No, won't do it?" Seriously. Nobody who wants that job is going to do it.
Basically, they just ran off any decent candidate in exchange for the ability to hire yet another yes-man.