Here is what Brad Holmes had to say during his media session at the league meetings.
Without further ado, here are seven takeaways from Holmes’ media session Monday.
As crazy as it may sound, Holmes is confident Detroit’s pass-rush department is in good shape as currently structured. And, it’s because of one player: Pro Bowl EDGE Aidan Hutchinson. Just like the rest of the NFL, Holmes is high on the passer-rusher’s skillset, and believes the Lions are lucky to call the Michigan product one of their own.
The Detroit general manager drove his point home by asking the reporters gathered Monday how many elite rushers there are in the league today. He received an answer of four or five, and then followed up by asking if Hutchinson was one of them. The answer was yes.
He followed that up by asking how many NFL franchises there are. The answer: 32. Once again, he did all of this to make the point that he believes the Lions’ pass-rush is in good hands with Hutchinson leading the way. Plus, he also expressed that the organization’s work at the EDGE position is not done, which likely means it will add an EDGE piece via the draft later this month.
Onwuzurike was brought back by the Lions on one of the most cost-effective deals of the offseason: a one-year deal worth just $3.5 million in guaranteed money.
It came after the defensive lineman recorded a career-best campaign in 2024. He started in a career-high 10 games, and produced 29 hurries, 13 quarterback hits and 45 total pressures. He also earned a career-high Pro Football Focus overall grade (69.4).
The fifth-year GM said he was “literally almost doing a backflip” when Onwuzurike decided to re-sign with the organization.
Undoubtedly, the Lions’ biggest move in free agency this offseason was adding former N.Y. Jets defensive back D.J. Reed. Reed brings No. 1 cornerback-level ability to a secondary that was devoid of it after losing Carlton Davis in free agency to the New England Patriots.
Holmes made it a priority of his to acquire a corner of Reed’s caliber despite the $16 million-a-season price tag.
As the fifth-year GM conveyed to reporters, “That corner market was expensive. The get-in-the-door entry price was $16 million. If you would have told me that we would have been able to get a corner for that much, with the defensive linemen that we were able to get and getting (wide receiver Tim Patrick) back and all that, I wouldn’t have thought we were going to be able to do that.”
Holmes is certainly satisfied with what Detroit has accomplished thus far this offseason.
Holmes made it crystal clear Monday: Journeyman quarterback Kyle Allen was signed by the Lions this offseason to provide an additional source of competition to Hendon Hooker.
Allen, who has 19 career starts under his belt, is expected to compete with the now third-year passer for the No. 2 QB job in Detroit. Holmes hopes this brings out the best in Hooker, a 2023 third-round draft pick.
“We like Hendon, we’re excited about him. … We brought in Teddy Bridgewater (last season) just because we were gearing up for the playoffs … and (Hooker) just wasn’t ready yet. And, he understood that. But, (we’ve) still got high hopes for him, but nobody’s gonna be given a job, either. So, if Hendon wants to be the No. 2 quarterback, then win the No. 2 quarterback job.”
No ifs, ands, or buts about it, the Tennessee product is going to have to go out and earn the backup job in training camp this summer.
