When Brad Holmes took over as the general manager of the Detroit Lions in 2021, he had plenty of work to do to turn the franchise around. However, he's been very successful in doing so.
After a three-win season in 2021, the Lions have gradually ascended into one of the best teams in the NFL. Detroit went 9-8 in 2022, nearly making the playoffs. Then, Detroit made another big leap to 12-5, a division title and an NFC Championship Game berth in 2023.
As a result of his recent success, Holmes found himself in an impressive spot in the general manager rankings of NBC Sports' Pat Daugherty, who put the Lions general manager at No. 6 on his list. Here's Daugherty's thoughts:
The Lions build out their strengths and hide their weaknesses. That’s how you go from three wins to nine to 12 in a three-year span, and come within a quarter of the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. It’s also how you blow a 24-7 halftime lead against the 49ers. Jared Goff and the No. 23 scoring defense can only be hidden for so long. Brad Holmes hopes he has added more slack to the line after a free agency/trade shopping spree that included EDGE Marcus Davenport, DT D.J. Reader and CB Carlton Davis. The draft included two top-60 DBs. The focus is clear, as is the belief. Holmes thinks surprising holdover OC Ben Johnson can continue to make a recently-extended Goff part of the solution as opposed to the problem. Sean McVay eventually gave up and tried something else, but not after first reaching the Super Bowl. That remains in reach for this team despite unorthodox decisions like using first-round picks on an off-ball linebacker and change-of-pace running back and making a slot man one of the game’s highest-paid receivers. Holmes trusts his instincts enough to go against the grain. He continues to be rewarded with one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NFL history.
The five teams Daugherty feels has a better situation right now are the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens.
Hard to argue with any of those, as the Chiefs, Eagles and Rams have all won the Super Bowl under their current general managers, the Niners have been to two of them, and the Ravens have been a perennial playoff team.
Holmes has done an unbelievable job, and not just with adding talent in free agency and the NFL Draft. He's also built a strong culture along with head coach Dan Campbell, and everything the team does is centered around that.
Entering Year 4, the Lions general manager has a sensational roster, and one that is capable of having sustained success because of all the youthful talent. If he can get Detroit over the hump to win a Super Bowl, he'll easily crack the top five and may go as high as No. 2.
