Rod Wood Explains Decision to Extend Campbell, Holmes

Why the Lions elected to extend Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes.

Mar 26, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks to the media during the NFL annual league meeting. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions were on the radar early in the offseason that could extend several significant extensions leading up to the 2024.

While wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jared Goff are popular targets to re-up and remain in Detroit, the Lions also made the not-so-surprising decision to ink general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell to new deals.

The Lions added one year to Campbell's original six-year deal, while they added two to Holmes' current five-year contract. This allows them to be on the same timeline with hopes of continuing to build Detroit into a perrenial power.

Speaking at a panel at the Detroit Economic Club last week, Lions' team president Rod Wood explained the process of adding years to both Campbell and Holmes' contracts.

Familiarity with each individual's representatives helped ease the deal through, and negotiations didn't begin until after the season was over.

"We really didn't start serious conversations until the season was over, " Wood said. "I didn't want to get anybody distracted from anything but it was certainly on my mind knowing where the season was headed. When we initially hired both of them, Dan initially got a six-year contract, Brad got a five-year contract, so one of my objectives was to get them aligned with the same end date. So, extended Brad by two years, Dan by one, so they are both with us for the next four years at least and hopefully much longer."

During his time on the panel, Wood recounted his experiences with both parties on their respective interviews. Campbell interviewed with the Lions the day after a New Orleans Saints playoff game, while Holmes caught the interviewing committee's attention quickly.

Since Campbell and Holmes took their respective places within the Lions' organization in 2021, the Lions own a 29-33-1 record. After a 3-13-1 finish in its first campaign under their leadership, Detroit has gone 26-20.

Last season, the Lions clinched their first division championship since 1993 and appeared in the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1992.