By Solomon 
The Detroit Lions had a dream regular season in 2024, winning 15 games, but their playoff run ended abruptly with a loss to the Washington Commanders. Head coach Dan Campbell was understandably upset, but instead of dwelling on it, he and the team quickly shifted focus to the offseason.
Their main priority? Keeping the core of the team together. That’s why they didn’t go after big-name free agents or make flashy trades. Instead, they focused on re-signing key players like Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, Levi Onwuzurike, and Tim Patrick. The one major addition they made was signing cornerback D.J. Reed from the Jets on a three-year, $48 million deal to replace Carlton Davis III, who left for the Patriots.
Despite a quiet free agency, the Lions feel confident about their Super Bowl chances in 2025. General manager Brad Holmes said they stuck to their plan and didn’t overpay for players they weren’t fully sold on. The team also had to be mindful of future contracts for stars like safety Kerby Joseph and pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, along with picking up wide receiver Jameson Williams’ fifth-year option.
Holmes compared the team’s financial situation to personal budgeting—sometimes you have to skip a big vacation to take care of long-term expenses. With many key players still on rookie contracts, the team has to be smart with its spending to ensure they stay competitive in the coming years.
Moving forward, the Lions will focus on the draft to fill any remaining gaps. They currently hold the 28th overall pick and, under this leadership, have prioritized keeping their homegrown talent rather than gambling on free agency. Campbell emphasized that players they draft are chosen because they fit the team’s culture, and they’d rather re-sign guys they already know and trust.
Health will also be a big factor in 2025. Injuries hit the Lions hard last season, especially on defense, where they had a league-high 16 players on injured reserve at one point. They’re hoping for better luck this time around as they look to build on last year’s success.