The disappointment of the 2025 season weighed heavily on the Detroit Lions organization, and general manager Brad Holmes made it clear he isn’t deflecting blame.
During his season-ending availability, Holmes delivered one of his most candid self-evaluations since taking over in Detroit, and it started with accountability.
“Before I look at anything, I look at myself,” Holmes said. “So, I have to do a better job. Obviously, haven’t been good enough. And look… I’m always gonna look inwards, so, early stages, but I have already started to identify things I can do better.”
That tone carried through the rest of his remarks. Holmes acknowledged that the results on the field left the front office with no choice but to reexamine every layer of the organization.
“And we’re gonna have to collectively look at everything from top to bottom, and just really be honest, and just take that long, hard look,” Holmes said. “And really, that’s maybe the only light that will come out of this darkness.”
For a franchise that entered the season with playoff expectations, the inconsistency was impossible to ignore. Holmes admitted that the reset must be thorough — and uncomfortable — if the Lions are going to get back to the standard they believe they set.
“When you have these kind of results, you don’t have a choice,” Holmes said. “You’re forced to look at everything long, and hard, and truthful, and honestly to improve our football team and recalibrate to play more consistent football.”
Holmes’ comments aligned with earlier statements from the organization that “for our standards, this was a disappointment.” Rather than shifting focus solely to coaches or players, the Lions’ GM put himself squarely in the spotlight.
The message was clear: improvement starts at the top. As Detroit enters a pivotal offseason that includes staff changes and roster decisions, Holmes’ self-critique signals that the Lions are not treating 2025 as a fluke — but as a lesson that must be addressed head-on.
Drafted with AI assistance, edited and fact-checked by DSN staff.
Brad Holmes just was happy to get a paycheck knowing he can just move on to another team…he was all into it when lions were great. He’s not going to stay, he’ll just duck down and (possibly) go to the bears. I think he’s fickle as a packer fan and I hope the Ford owner gets rid of him…
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Brad Holmes just was happy to get a paycheck knowing he can just move on to another team…he was all into it when lions were great. He’s not going to stay, he’ll just duck down and (possibly) go to the bears. I think he’s fickle as a packer fan and I hope the Ford owner gets rid of him…