Detroit Lions' GM Brad Holmes on 2025 season: 'It's a failure'

4 days ago 2

Detroit Lions executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes held his annual end-of-season news conference on Thursday from the Lions' practice facility in Allen Park, Mich.

After a 9-8 finish in which the Lions missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022, Holmes categorized the 2025 season as a failure.

"Bottom line is for our standards, this was a disappointment. When we set out for this journey, for this season, it wasn't to match last year's record or exceed last year's record. It doesn't really matter what the record is. Bottom line is, if we're not in the dance and we're not competing for a championship, it's a failure.

"So, it's a lot of things that we're going to have to take a long, hard look at, but, before I look at anything, I'm looking at myself. I have to do a better job. Obviously, it hasn't been good enough. I'm always going to look inward. Early stages, but already started to identify some things that I can definitely do better and we're going to collectively just have to look at everything from top to bottom and just really be honest and just take that long hard look. Really, that's the only light that may come out of this darkness I would say. When you have these kind of results, you don't have a choice. You're forced to look at everything long and hard and truthful and honestly all in efforts to improve our football team and just kind of recalibrate this thing to just play more consistent football," Holmes said.

While acknowledging he and the franchise's shortcomings this season, Holmes also made a point to credit the players, the Lions' coaching staff and fans.

"Just first off, I want to thank all the players for all their hard work, all their efforts, the sacrifice, everything they put into it. I tip my hat to what those guys not only do during the season, but to prepare to get ready for the season, so the utmost respect and appreciation for all they do.

"Look, Dan (Campbell) and the entire coaching staff, all of their hard work, everything that they put into it. I want to thank our fans. They show up, support as they always do. We are very thankful for that. It's just very frustrating that we weren't able to put together a more consistent product for you guys, but we will get better. Our trainers, performance staff, their care of the players throughout the season. Our personnel department, I thought those guys did a good job identifying some good football players, depth pieces that had to play large roles. Whether it's the (Al-Quadin) Muhammad or (Avonte) the Maddox, Rock Ya-Sin, (Tyrus) Wheat, (Tyler) Lacy, (Grant) Stuard...just a lot of guys that ended up having to play big roles. I thought they did a good job of that. But, really just the whole org. It's really too many people to name, but it takes everybody to play a role and give full effort for a whole season," Holmes said.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions' GM Brad Holmes on 2025 season: 'It's a failure'

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