'We'll Be Ready': Lions GM Brad Holmes Reacts to Chiefs Opener

Detroit Lions want to prove themselves against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs are the perfect opponent for the Detroit Lions to start the 2023 NFL season. 

Detroit general manager Brad Holmes and the 2023 roster will have an opportunity to showcase what they can be, against a perennial championship contender. 

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL radio, Holmes expressed that his roster will be ready for the challenge, in front of a nationally televised audience. 

"We entered last season with really no primetime games on the slate," said Holmes. "We were Sunday at 1 p.m. every week. And we said, 'Okay, well, that's who we are, and we're going to do the best we can.' And so now, when you have a little bit of success, again, we still got a lot of work to do to get into the postseason. But, I'm glad that it's recognized. And, you start getting games like this. And, you can't be scared of it. You can't hide from it. You can't be intimidated. It's like, no, this is what we wanted. So, I think it's going to be a great test. It's very exciting. The opener, the kickoff (of 2023 season), primetime TV. And, I will say, I have no doubt that we'll be ready."

Reaction to NFL schedule release

The release of the NFL schedule has become quite the spectacle, with news and leaks occurring over the course of 36 hours.

Holmes, now in his third year as Detroit general manager, gave his impression of the Lions' 2023 schedule, and shared how he typically evaluates a schedule release. 

"We got the schedule released yesterday, and it came out pretty good, you know, with the primetime opportunities. (I) always look at when the schedule comes out, always look at Week 1, obviously," said Holmes. "Who we got Week 1, and it's as good as it gets there. 

"Always kind of look at where that bye week is being placed. So having that bye in a really good sweet spot is going to be good for us," Holmes continued. "And obviously for us, always look at with our Thanksgiving tradition, always look at who we got on the slate for Thanksgiving. But, you know, the amount of primetime games, coming back from after the Thanksgiving game, really none. Kind of seeing that, it's good that it's being noticed -- the work that we're doing. And now, we got to just take advantage."