Brad Holmes Has Message For Detroit Lions Fans Ahead of Scouting Combine

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes appeared on NFL Network on Tuesday morning.

The next few months of the NFL offseason may be the most important period of time for the Detroit Lions organization. 

Heading into free agency and the NFL Draft, Lions general manager Brad Holmes and the personnel department have several key decisions to make in their efforts to retool a roster that was only able to secure three victories in 2022. 

Ahead of the scouting combine, Detroit's second-year general manager appeared on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football."

In the nearly eight-minute interview, Holmes discussed what message he has for Lions fans and what the organization can offer a free agent who decides to sign with the team this offseason. 

"You definitely should be optimistic, because whoever we end up acquiring or selecting, whether free agency or through the draft, it's going be somebody that the city is going to be proud," Holmes said. "Is going to be someone that the fanbase is going to be proud of. What our culture is, it's about collaboration, communication, grit, perseverance -- and that's really the city of Detroit. That's what our fanbase is all about. So, whoever we acquire, they will definitely be proud of it. We want to do it for the fans."

Message to free agents

Last year, the Lions mostly allocated free-agent resources to veterans on short-term deals. 

When asked about what his message would be for free agents the team is looking to recruit, Holmes reiterated the culture in Detroit would be quite appealing. 

"Dan (Campbell) and I had a plan in place from the get-go," Holmes said. "We took some lumps early on. But, as you said, you started to see that plan really come clear at the end of the season. What we can definitely offer is an outstanding culture. We have a culture of collaboration and communication. We're all about grit. We have a multi-year plan in place. We have an outstanding head coach. Dan is special. We got great leadership from the top. I tell everybody, 'If you want to be a part of this, good luck. It's going to be a fun ride.'"

Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl win inspiring

Holmes watched the Los Angeles Rams win the Lombardi Trophy with his family, and called the team's run through the playoffs "inspiring to see." 

He expressed that he texted some former colleagues in the organization after their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Their response was, “Hey, you’re a part of this. They didn’t have to say that, but that was really cool for them to say.”