Sources: Martz to be fired by Lions

The NFL regular season isn’t even over, and already the job juggling is underway.

Detroit will fire offensive coordinator Mike Martz after today’s season-ending game at Green Bay and replace him with receivers coach Kippy Brown, according to sources familiar with the situation.

But Martz won’t be out of a job for long. San Francisco is expected to pursue him to take over for offensive coordinator Jim Hostler.

Martz, who coached the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl in 2001, appeals to the 49ers because of his familiarity with the NFC West and his ability to develop quarterbacks, as he did with Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger and Jon Kitna.

The 49ers used the No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft to select quarterback Alex Smith, who has shown promising flashes, but many people believe he has yet to reach his potential.

San Francisco’s offense is by far the worst in the NFL, ranking at the bottom in yards per game, first downs and time of possession.

The Lions (7-8) followed a 6-2 start by losing six in a row before they ended the slide with a victory over Kansas City last Sunday. If Detroit beats the Packers, it will finish with its first non-losing season since 2000.

Martz, who was hired in early 2006 by Lions Coach Rod Marinelli, was coach of the Rams from 2000 through 2005. He was the architect of the high-scoring “Greatest Show on Turf” offense that featured Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.

This season, the Lions rank eighth in the NFL in passing, but 30th in rushing and 19th in total offense. They rank 16th in points.

Earlier this week, Kitna told reporters in Detroit that firing Martz would be a mistake.

“I hope he’s back,” Kitna said Wednesday. “That would be a hard thing for me to get over, not having him.”

Vinny Testaverde, the Carolina Panthers’ 44-year-old quarterback, said he would retire after the season finale at Tampa Bay today. Testaverde became the oldest starting quarterback to win an NFL game when he led the Panthers to a victory at Arizona on Oct. 14.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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sam.farmer@latimes.com