Lions Will Be 'Very Strategic' in Free Agency

Lions have to balance rewarding roster and adding new players.

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has not made many big splashes in free agency. 

The vision of drafting and developing players has been clearly established, and has been successful. 

While talent has been added in the past three years, no player has earned a massive free-agent contract that's ended up being prohibitive. 

Last offseason, running back David Montgomery secured a contract with an average annual salary of $6 million, while Ceedy Duce secured a one-year, $6.5 million contract. 

Cornerback Cam Sutton signed a three-year, $33 million free-agent deal, in one of the biggest splashes made by the current regime. 

This offseason, Holmes and Co. have the challenge of potentially working out a contract extension for quarterback Jared Goff. 

Lions' 2023 Season Grades: Offense

Also, decisions on the long-term futures of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell will also be explored. 

With Aidan Hutchinson waiting in the wings to break the bank down the road, how the team allocates its resources will be vital to the long-term success of the organization. 

When asked at his season-ending media session, Holmes expressed that the team having to potentially sign many of its own free agents will force the front office to make smart, strategic decisions.  

“Yeah, I mean, look, it’s one pot. It’s one pot, so you’ve got to be very strategic of how those finances – that’s what makes the league as great as it is," Holmes said. "But, you’ve got to be very strategic of how that pot is divided up or divvied up. But, we’ll be smart, and we’ll make the right moves. But, yeah, it just changes the landscape a little bit in free agency."

While the team may not make a huge splash, Detroit's talented general manager pleaded with the fan base to trust his decisions. 

"You’ve got to think back, our first free agency, we didn’t have any real resources to spend. We had to be very selective and try to find an Alex Anzalone or a Kalif Raymond and all those guys," Holmes said. "And then last year, we had a little bit more resources, and were able to get a Cam Sutton and a C.J. Gardner-Johnson. This year will be a little bit different, but we’ll be smart.”