The Detroit Lions are coming off one of their most successful seasons in franchise history. Detroit won 15 games, won the NFC North title for the second straight season, and earned the first seed in the NFC playoffs. Sadly, the Lions were defeated in the Divisional Round against the Commanders. Now, Detroit must focus on the offseason to ensure that this does not happen again.
On Wednesday at the NFL Combine, Lions general manager Brad Holes spoke with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. During the conversation, Holmes discussed Detroit’s upcoming contract extensions for numerous top players.
“It’s a good problem to have, but you look back and you’re like, ‘Man, there’s a bill to pay now’,” Holmes told Garafolo. “Because in the moment it’s like ‘oh we got Penei Sewell’ and you get two one’s, two two’s, and two one’s again…”and it’s like, “Wait a minute, there’s seven [first-round caliber players] that we all like.”
Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions’ edge rusher, and safety Kerby Joseph are the next players in line for huge deal extensions.
“I’d love to keep these guys around, but then you have Kerby Joseph in the third round and Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round and it starts to add up,” Holmes added. “It simply alters some of the decisions you would like to make in free agency.” We’ve already begun the work and preparation to make the necessary improvements.”
Lions General Manager Brad Holmes praises Dan Campbell on coordinator replacements.
Holmes also took the opportunity to praise Detroit’s coaching staff.
Holmes praised the coordinators Dan Campbell selected this summer to replace Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.
Kelvin Sheppard, the Lions’ linebackers coach, was promoted to be the team’s next defensive coordinator. Former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left to become the Jets’ head coach.
“I really thought Dan did an excellent job of [replacing] two great coordinators who left,” Holmes remarked on Wednesday. “To get a Kelvin Sheppard who has been with us since the beginning. Basically, it was nurtured from the start to be the next guy. He’s definitely ready; he’s been under [Aaron Glenn’s] wing the entire time, as has Dan.”
The Lions also hired John Morton to replace previous offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is currently the head coach of the Bears.
“John Morton, when he was with us, that was the time when we basically built that offensive system,” he said. “So he already has continuity; he understands it begins with Jared and the quarterback. They’ve been in a relationship before, so I don’t see us missing a beat there.”
Fans of the Detroit Lions hope that hiring new coordinators will not slow them down during the 2025 NFL season.
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