While the NFL world focused on the Annual League Meetings in Florida this week, pondering rule changes and courting the media, unfinished business awaits Brad Holmes’ return in Detroit.
Unfinished Lions Business Awaiting Brad Holmes’ Return
At the beginning of last year, the Lions boasted one of the NFL’s most talented and cohesive team rosters. It was a fantastic group that functioned like a well-oiled machine. Or it did, until an avalanche of injuries made it impossible to continue without recruiting additional outside talent. Two of those players, EDGE Za’Darius Smith and DL Myles Adams, made significant contributions.
Heading into this season, the Lions’ top priority shifted to extending player contracts. It’s a delicate financial balancing act. The goal is to re-sign and retain as many critical team members as possible while being mindful of existing high-dollar contract payouts designated for this year and the team’s salary cap. However, that budgetary window can close quickly when you account for the dollars allocated for signing players in free agency and the draft,
Priority Business: The Contracts of Lions Players
Holmes had a busy March, re-signing 18 contracts, including LBs Derrick Barnes, Anthony Pittman, Zeke Turner, Trevor Nowaske, and Mitchell Agude. Shoring the defense further, he re-signed DL’s Marcus Davenport, Levi Onwuzurike, Myles Adams, and Pat O’Connor. In addition, Holmes retained DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, DB Morice Norris, and CB Khalil Dorsey.
To ensure the Lions maintain one of the NFL’s top offenses in 2025, Holmes re-signed guard Netane Muti, OT Dan Skipper, RB Craig Reynolds, WR Tim Patrick, TE Shane Zylstra, and OL Kayode Awosika.
Lions Key Free Agency Pickups
When the Lions lost Carlton Davis and Kevin Zeitler to free agency, Holmes immediately responded by signing New York Jets’ cornerback D.J. Reed to a $48 million four-year contract. Although the loss of Davis upset many fans, Holmes’ acquisition of Reed was applauded by experts who regard Reed as a healthy young standout. Replacing Davis with Reed, Holmes saved the Lions organization $12 million.
Next, Holmes focused on additional free agency signings to fill gaps in key positions. He acquired DT Roy Lopez, LB Grant Stuard, QB Kyle Allen, TE Kenny Yeboah, and CBs Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox. Holmes signed each of these players to relatively low-cost one-year contracts.
Priority Extensions Awaiting Holmes Return
Holmes did a great job shoring up outstanding contract extensions while being cost-conscious and selective with his free agency additions. Only Barnes and Reed were signed to multi-year deals. Holmes took into account the existing high-dollar contract payoffs coming due this year and wisely kept an eye on the budget.
However, with several of the most critical contract extensions still outstanding, his job is not done. One of Holmes’ top priorities is picking up the fifth-year option on first-round picks Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams. Holmes has been fiscally conservative with his free agency spending to prepare for what is expected to be a significant contract awarded to Aidan Hutchinson.
Lions EDGE-Aidan Hutchinson
Leading the team with 7.5 sacks and 17 quarterback pressures in the five games before his injury, Hutchinson was on pace to win “Defensive Player of the Year.” With Myles Garrett’s new contract resetting the EDGE market rate, the Lions must offer Hutchinson a multi-year contract of approximately $40 million annually. Hutchinson is one of the rare elite talents in the NFL and should be compensated accordingly.
Lions Wide Receiver -Jameson Williams
Talented wide receiver Williams is also eligible for a fifth-year extension as a former first-round pick. With his troubling off-field issues behind him, Williams finally emerged this year to become the player the Lions envisioned when they drafted him. Reaching the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career, Williams has become one of the most explosive and exciting receivers in the NFL.
Watch: Top Ten Wide Receivers in 2025 NFL Draft
Lions Safety-Kerby Joseph
Kerby Joseph led the league with nine interceptions last year. He is in the final year of the standard four-year rookie contract. But unlike Hutchinson and Williams, Joseph isn’t eligible for a fifth-year extension since he wasn’t a first-round draft pick. Nonetheless, like Hutchinson and Williams, Joseph is a core player the Lions can’t afford to lose.
Lions Linebacker -Alex Anzalone
Finally, Alex Anzalone is in the last year of his three-year contract. The veteran linebacker is a massive talent and the heart and soul of Detroit’s defense. Another piece of unfinished business for Holmes is guaranteeing the Lions retain this talented veteran.
According to PFF, Anzalone was the Lions’ highest graded linebacker against the pass in 2024. In week 18, when Anzalone returned from injury, his presence on the field elevated the team’s performance. Head coach Dan Campbell said to FOX 2 Detroit after the season finale, “Look, I’ve said it before, he’s our quarterback on defense. He’s our quarterback on defense, and you know, he just brings, there’s a lot of confidence. He brings a lot of energy. He can calm the storms.”
Anzalone was outstanding against the Vikings in that game, holding former Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson to just eight yards on two receptions. Thanks to Anzalone’s pressure, Hockenson missed six out of eight targets.
Anzalone’s veteran leadership and locker room presence are invaluable. MVP caliber quarterback Jared Goff responded to MLive. “He brings a lot of energy to that defense, he’s a leader, he’s a captain, having him back out there is huge.”
While Holmes should enjoy his time in the Florida sunshine, he has unfinished business awaiting his return. The extensions of these four talented and foundational players must be locked down for 2025 and beyond. However, if Holmes wants to hit it out of the park, he could resolve another bit of unfinished business by negotiating a new contract that brings back Za’Darius Smith.
Main Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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