By Sunday 
Staying the Course Despite the Shifts
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes isn’t blinking.
In the face of offseason coaching changes and lingering health questions around the edge rush group, Holmes doubled down on his confidence in Detroit’s front line. And let’s be honest — he has reasons to be optimistic.
“We believe in our guys,” Holmes said firmly during a recent media sit-down. “These aren’t just athletes — they’re professionals, and they know how to adapt.”
With former defensive line coach John Scott Jr. moving on and a new wave of defensive strategy in the works, fans had reason to feel uneasy. But Holmes’ steady tone is clearly meant to ease that worry. From Aidan Hutchinson’s consistent havoc-making to the promising growth of James Houston, the Lions’ pass-rush cupboard is anything but bare.
Proven Production + Depth = Reassurance
Detroit’s front seven played a massive role in last season’s playoff run. Hutchinson, the centerpiece, racked up 11.5 sacks in 2024 and drew double-teams on the regular. Add in Houston, Alim McNeill, and Josh Paschal — and it’s a room brimming with young, homegrown talent.
Even with some shifts on the sidelines, Holmes sees the structure as solid.
“Continuity matters, but so does culture,” Holmes noted. “We’ve built a room full of guys that push each other every day.”
Why It Matters Right Now
Here’s the key: the Lions aren’t just aiming to repeat last year’s success — they want more. In a stacked NFC North and a rising NFC overall, that edge pressure might be the difference between another deep playoff run… and a painful early exit.
Holmes’ faith in the edge room isn’t just PR fluff. It’s part of a larger organizational belief that the Lions are finally beyond the phase of rebuilds and excuses. They’re built to compete — regardless of who’s calling plays from the sideline.