4 Takeaways from Brad Holmes' End-of-Season Media Session

Brad Holmes shares thoughts on the Detroit Lions' 2022 season.

The Detroit Lions had an opportunity to take a step forward in their rebuilding process in 2022. 

Even though the season started off on a sour note, the coaching staff and roster did not waiver in their convictions. As a result, the team was able to come out victorious in eight of their final 10 games, to finish the season with a winning record. 

While finishing with a 9-8 record is not the standard, the team now has learned to play well and come out victorious in close NFL games. 

Here are four takeaways from general manager Brad Holmes' end-of-season media session. 

The Lions took a step forward in their rebuilding process

In year two of a comprehensive rebuild, the team won six more games than in 2021. 

Campbell and Co. played meaningful games late in the season, and just missed qualifying for the postseason. 

More: Dan Campbell Believes Free Agents Want to Be Part of Lions' Rebuild

"I think you could make a case that we're ahead of schedule," Holmes explained. "But, again, we don't really dive into that really that much. Obviously, we look at it, we talk about it. ... So, we're just going to keep that focus a little bit, this tunnel vision and not worry about any of the outside noise or anything. But, I guess it's safe to say, you could say we're ahead of schedule. We just feel like we're going to keep working."

Jared Goff is the quarterback of the future

Undoubtedly, the veteran signal-caller proved that he should be under center to start the 2023 NFL season. 

Detroit's general manager indicated that Goff has earned the confidence of the coaching staff and the front office, based on his mental toughness and his ability to bounce back from adversity. 

"I was always confident in him, because I've been with him from the get-go, since he was drafted back when I was with L.A. I just kind of know how resilient and mentally tough he is. I think a lot of it was me knowing all the success he had in L.A ," said Holmes. "I think that was kind of forgotten about a little bit when he got here, and I think he was put in a very tough situation."

Player development is vital to the process, even if free agents are signed

While many supporters will continue to clamor for the front office to make splash after splash in free agency, both Campbell and Holmes have now made it clear, repeatedly, what type of player they are seeking to bring to the organization. 

Holmes did not rule out signing big-name free agents this offseason, but it was reiterated that any player that is signed to the organization must fit certain characteristics to even be considered. 

"Dan and I have a plan that we're going to stick to, in terms of how we're going to construct our roster. So, just because we add a veteran or a big-spend guy in free agency doesn't mean that another guy -- one thing that is very prevalent, that is a high priority, is player development," Holmes said. "In this building, that will never be a shortcoming around here. So, when we talk about stunting a guy's growth, that usually doesn't happen around here."

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Lions will utilize resources to continue to improve the defense

While the defense certainly added building blocks for the future, it is clear resources will still need to be allocated to improve the defense. 

With issues arising in the secondary and the interior of the defensive line, it is safe to presume help is coming, via both the draft and in free agency. 

Holmes expressed, "Our defense was ranked 32nd. It's pretty obvious that we're going to have to utilize some resources to try and improve that defense. I do believe that there's some young guys on our defense right now that are only going to get better."