Lions GM Brad Holmes Dunks on Media Critics

Lions general manager enjoyed recapping his successes.

The Detroit Lions like to say they block out a lot of outside noise. 

But, after listening to general manager Brad Holmes, it is quite clear the front office, coaching staff and several members of the roster are keenly aware of what is said about the decisions made by the organization. 

Holmes, in his near 40-minute, season-ending media session, expressed it was finally the fair time to assess the 2021 draft, after three full seasons in the National Football League. 

In somewhat of a surprise, Detroit's general manager called out specific media members in describing two of his selections from 2021. 

"I'll go back to the 2021 draft, alright? The '21 draft, each pick from that draft was very intentional. The reason I go back to that draft, a couple reasons," Holmes said. "For one, we just finished the 2023 season. That's when you're supposed to grade a draft, not the day after a draft. When you look back at those picks, and those picks were not welcomed by many in this room. 

"Dave (Birkett), you wanted us to pick a quarterback, you didn't want us to pick Penei Sewell. People didn't want us to wait until the fourth round to draft a wide receiver," Holmes continued. "People didn't want to wait on a Derrick Barnes to develop. But, every single move was intentional, and was made with intention."

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Another pick in that draft, Ifeatu Melifonwu, was criticized by Carlos Monarrez at the time. Holmes called out the reporter after Melifonwu played a key role late in the 2023 season. 

While Holmes did not want to be perceived as taking a victory lap, he really just wanted those critics of his decisions to be accountable, if they ended up being wrong. 

Moving forward, the team will again attack the offseason not looking to win headlines, but to win in the months of December and January.