Next up on our annual approval polls: Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
On Thursday, Detroit Lions fans sent a strong message regarding their thoughts on head coach Dan Campbell. As of Friday morning, Campbell had a (rounded-up) 100 percent approval rating, receiving a total of just 14 do-not-approve votes out of over 3,100 votes.
Now, it’s time to talk about Campbell’s partner in crime, general manager Brad Holmes. While Campbell has been setting the culture, hiring a strong coaching staff, and providing the proper guide to success, it’s been Holmes feeding him the players to do so. The Lions have one of the deepest rosters in franchise history, and it’s now filled by players almost exclusively acquired during Holmes’ time. Holmes’ drafts have been immaculate, led by his first, outrageously successful draft: Penei Sewell, Levi Onwuzurike, Alim McNeill, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Derrick Barnes, and Jermar Jefferson. All seven draft picks remain with the Lions four years later, and the first six have all played a vital part in the team’s success.
Like any general manager, Holmes has not been perfect. He’s made some risky choices along the way, and the consistent gambles he has made—targeting players with injury histories for a discount—have mostly been a losing proposition. The gamble with Marcus Davenport is the latest to have not panned out. Others have criticized his inability to find receiver depth after letting Josh Reynolds walk in free agency, but it appears Tim Patrick may have alleviated those concerns.
Overall, it’s hard to poke flaws in Holmes’ approach since landing in Detroit, and that is certainly reflected in his approval rankings over the past three years.
March 2021 (pre-free agency): 97 percent approval
May 2021 (post-draft): 98 percent
September 2021 (post-cuts): 90 percent
October 2021: 87 percent
November 2021: 79 percent
December 2021: 97 percent
January 2022: 97 percent
March 2022 (pre-free agency): 96 percent
May 2022 (post-draft): 99 percent
September 2022: 95 percent
October 2022: 82 percent
November 2022: 97 percent
January 2023: 99 percent
April 2023 (pre-draft): 98 percent
October 2023: 99 percent
February 2024: 99 percent
May 2024: 99 percent
Now it’s time to vote. Do you approve of the job Brad Holmes is doing as Detroit Lions general manager?
