The Detroit Lions came close to reaching the Super Bowl in 2023 but fell short in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. Despite never winning a Super Bowl, Lions General Manager Brad Holmes isn’t focused on short-term success or a “Super Bowl window.”
Instead, Holmes aims for sustained success, following the model of teams like the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. He prefers gradual improvement over going all-in for one championship, as the Rams did in 2021.
Brad Holmes on not taking an “all-in” approach: We are seeking sustained success. https://t.co/4lriJNoxLQ
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 19, 2024
The Lions have been building their roster through the draft, cultivating homegrown talent like Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, and others. They’ve also made strategic acquisitions, including trading for quarterback Jared Goff in 2021 and adding players like Carlton Davis, D.J. Reader, and Kevin Zeitler this offseason.
As they approach the upcoming NFL draft with the 29th pick, Holmes emphasizes sticking to their process, even if it means potentially trading out of the first round. He humorously asks fans for forgiveness if they make such a move.
