Over the years, Lions’ GM Brad Holmes has developed a reputation as a master draft strategist. His 2022 and 2023 draft classes are among the best in the NFL. But Holmes’ lack of aggression in free agency could come back to haunt him this year.
Brad Holmes’s Lack of Aggression In Free Agency Could Cost The Lions A Playoff Berth
As accomplished as Holmes has been in the draft, he has mostly remained on the sidelines during free agency. Rather than rushing to sign external free agents, Holmes’ preference has been to quietly re-sign existing players to extensions. Concerned about the Lions’ burgeoning salary cap, he has been reluctant to splash out big contracts in a trade for superstar talents like Micah Parsons or Trey Hendrickson. However, the Green Bay Packers’ acquisition of Parsons immediately began paying dividends, elevating the team’s defensive unit to become one of the NFL’s most successful. In the wake of the Lions’ recent struggles, did Holmes’ lack of aggression cost the Lions a playoff berth?
Holmes, Rebuilding The Lions Through the Draft
After unloading the inherited wreckage of a non-productive roster and bloated salary cap from the Bob Quinn /Matt Patricia era, Holmes had the cash flow to rebuild a team from the ground up. Turning to the NFL Draft, he began compiling a roster that is today, arguably one of the most complete and talented in the league. However, Holmes has also come under fire for draft day decisions. Pundits questioned the wisdom of his trading up to acquire specific players, but with Holmes’ uncanny ability to spot underrated talent like Amon-Ra St. Brown and his masterful draft acumen, he ultimately convinced his doubters.
After negotiating the trade for Jared Goff, Holmes’s savvy draft decision-making began making an immediate impact. He chose superstar first-round draft picks Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and Terrion Arnold to build the team’s core foundation. Trading up to acquire safety Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta over other more highly-ranked position players, Holmes learned to trust his gut over pre-draft rankings. As a result, his 2022 and 2023 draft classes are widely regarded as among the best in the league.
Unfortunately, this year’s draft is a bit of a mixed bag. First-round pick Tyleik Williams hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft hype, earning an overall PFF grade of 54.5 with a 63.8 pass rush and a disappointing 46.9 run defense. Second-round pick guard Tate Ratledge became an immediate starter and is proving his mettle under very difficult circumstances. With talented young receiver Isaac TeSlaa. proving to be an exciting playmaking option, Holmes’ reputation as an accomplished draft talent scout remains unblemished. But injuries to EDGE Ahmed Hassanein, OL Miles Frazier, and safety Dan Jackson have negatively impacted the team and limited the rookie class production.
Holmes’ Missed Free Agency Opportunities
Admittedly, Holmes hasn’t had the best luck with free agency in the past. Cam Sutton’s $33 million contract is an example of a big free agency swing that missed the mark, with the cornerback allowing 627 receiving yards and five touchdowns that season. One recent free agent signing that did work out quite well for Detroit in 2024 was the acquisition of veteran guard Kevin Zeitler. Holmes signed the NFL journeyman to a one-year deal reportedly worth $6 million. Starting 16 games, Zeitler earned an 86.8 overall PFF grade, ranking him third among all guards. An exceptional run-blocker, he earned a career-best 87.2 mark that ranked number two in the NFL.
But Zeitler became a free agent in 2025 and moved on from Detroit, signing a $9 million deal with the Tennessee Titans. Was it a mistake for Holmes to let 35-year-old Zeitler walk? Maybe not. Zeitler’s performance last year was undoubtedly elevated by the superior Lions offensive talent surrounding him. This year, his performance in Tennessee has declined, allowing 4.0 sacks in 592 snaps for a 63.8 overall grade.
An Irreplaceable Loss for the Lions’ Offensive Line
On June 2, 2025, Frank Ragnow, the Lions’ four-time Pro Bowl Center, announced his retirement. His absence left a gap that would prove impossible to fill. While Holmes was most likely unaware of Ragnow’s intended retirement in March, he knew that both Ragnow and Taylor Decker were aging veterans. The average career length of an NFL lineman is between 5-6 years, and the Lions were incredibly fortunate to have retained both players long-term. Currently in his 10th year, Decker is more than double the average, and Ragnow is an eight-year veteran.
Sadly, just like last year’s defense, the Lions’ offensive line has been decimated by injuries this season. With practice squad players and inexperienced rookies substituting for talented NFL veterans, the loss of Ragnow and Zeitler has loomed large.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Ragnow would be coming out of retirement to rejoin the Lions. Overcome with elation, the Detroit fan base celebrated his impending return. But two days later, it was announced that Ragnow was ineligible to play after failing to pass his physical due to a hamstring issue.
Should Holmes Have Pursued O-Line Players In Free Agency?
During this year’s Free Agency period, one of the most highly coveted offensive line players was former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. While not of the caliber of the Ragnow, the Lions’ Pro Bowl center, Dalman was an accomplished two-year starter. Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears signed Dalman to a massive three-year $42 million contract. Currently thriving in Chicago with a run-block grade of 82.6 and an overall score of 81.0, Dalman is helping to transform the Bears’ offense.
Of course, Dalman had help this year from two other recent Bears free-agent acquisitions. In exchange for a fourth-round 2026 draft pick, the Bears acquired former Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney. The three-time Pro-Bowler signed a two-year, $35 million contract.
In another big move for Chicago, Johnson signed former Detroit OL Jonah Jackson, who played in the 2022 Pro Bowl as an alternate. After playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, the Bears acquired Jackson through a trade on March 12, 2025. Chicago traded a sixth-round draft pick and signed Jackson to a one-year $12.5 million contract. Together, the three form a fierce offensive line that has completely transformed Chicago’s offense, opening running lanes and making up for lapses on the part of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Now, the Bears sit atop the NFC North Division with a 9-3 record, underscoring the impact of what Johnson has been able to accomplish with his aggressive free agency push.
Did Holmes make a mistake in not pursuing Dalman or other offensive linemen? Instead of prioritizing the defense in free agency to acquire cornerback D.J. Reed for $48 million, along with Grant Stuard and Roy Lopez, should Holmes have focused on rebuilding his offensive line? Or, did Holmes push to acquire a veteran lineman only to lose out to another team?
Will The Lions Still Make the Playoffs?
The Lions are no longer in control of their own destiny. With five games left, including two critical division games, the 7-5 Lions are currently on the outside looking in at a Wild Card berth. Even if the team rebounds to win all five remaining games, they will likely still need help from other teams to qualify for the playoffs. Unless the offensive line can step up and find another gear to open some running lanes and provide adequate protection for Goff, Detroit may have to sit this year out.
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