7 Takeaways from Brad Holmes' End of Season Press Conference

Holmes confident, focused on adding competition to roster.

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been confident in his team's ability to succeed since taking over the job. 

Though results didn't start to flourish until the end of the 2022 campaign, his vision, forged with owner Sheila Hamp and head coach Dan Campbell, has come to fruition. He was named the PFWA Executive of the Year after the Lions went 12-5 and narrowly lost in the NFC Championship Game. 

With that success in the rearview, Holmes spoke Monday ahead of the start of the 2024 NFL offseason. Here are seven takeaways from his end of season press conference.

Lions not targeting one specific area to improve

On paper, the Lions have needs on the defensive side of the ball heading into the offseason. The unit struggled containing opposing passers, and the secondary was gashed by some of the league's best wide receivers. 

However, Holmes said the organization is evaluating how it can improve in all facets. He did not identify one specific area where the team needed to improve heading into the 2024 season. 

Holmes pointed out that focusing only on specific areas can be dangerous, so the offseason appears to be featuring a comprehensive evaluation of wants and needs for the organization. 

Goff's future

Quarterback Jared Goff has revitalized his career since a late-season surge in 2022. The veteran passer was widely viewed as a bridge to the future when he arrived, but he has left no doubt about his standing as the franchise quarterback after the 2023 campaign. 

The veteran is entering the final year of his contract, and is a candidate to earn an extension. It's likely that he will indeed receive that and remain a Lion for the foreseeable future, but the terms of the contract are uncertain. 

Holmes did not discuss the contract itself, but praised Goff for his performance since coming to Detroit. He has had persistent belief in the passer, and said that he was not surprised by Goff's success this season. 

'We love where we are at'

The Lions outperformed expectations set for them across the league in 2023. Though they were viewed as a favorite in the NFC North, they weren't viewed as a top contender for the NFC Championship. 

Holmes stated that he did not put a specific timetable on how long the rebuild would take when he took over the job. However, he is content with how quickly the team has ascended. 

"I never wanted to put a timestamp on it, or a time anchor on it, because we're just gonna do our job, roll our sleeves up and work to improve every single day," Holmes said. "And that's what we did, so it's hard for me to say, 'Yeah, we are ahead of schedule,' because I don't know what that original time stamp should've been in the first place. But, I do know that we love where we are at, and we're exactly where we're supposed to be." 

Keeping the offensive line together

The Lions have built some of their success, thanks to a strong offensive line. Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow earned All-Pro honors, representing a group that was core to Detroit's postseason run.

However, the unit is facing uncertainty heading into the offseason. Both starting guards, Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow, are set to be free agents. Additionally, Ragnow has been dealing with several injuries, and hasn't committed to returning in 2023.

Holmes said the Lions will maintain communication with Ragnow while respecting his time and decision. He added that maintaining a high level of performance up front will be a point of emphasis this offseason for the organization.

Holmes kept receipts

During his opening statement, Holmes acknowledged that members of the media had been critical of draft picks that eventually panned out for the organization.

Specifically, the third-year GM pointed to the 2021 NFL Draft. In that specific event, the Lions landed Penei Sewell with the No. 7 pick. Though it wasn't the most popular choice at the time, the third-year tackle earned All-Pro honors this season.

Additionally, Holmes pointed out a specific reporter who claimed in the immediate aftermath that the Lions made a mistake selecting safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.

The general manager later clarified that he was doing so out of accountability, adding that he would admit if he was wrong about similar situations.

Motivation after NFC Championship loss

The motivation to return to the biggest stage in football isn't just limited to the players. Holmes admitted Monday that he too feels fueled by the NFC Championship loss to the 49ers.

It will be a tough challenge getting back to that level in the postseason, but he was adamant that the team's success was not just a flash in the pan.

Though the executive admitted that he feels self-motivated, he has felt more driven since the season came to an unfortunate end, just one game away from the Super Bowl. 

Brad Holmes Tired of Lions Being Perceived as 'Cute Story'

How culture shapes roster

Culture has been a big deal since Holmes and Campbell arrived in 2021. They have shown a great deal of loyalty to players who have been through the grind with the Lions in recent years. 

Holmes said the Lions' culture is not for all of the available players in the league, and that the organization is diligent when it comes to evaluating potential additions. However, he won't simply hand roster spots out to players eligible to return. 

As the third-year GM explained, the organization is focused on adding competition and continuing to improve. As a result, it will make calculated decisions regarding the roster in the offseason.