By Blessing 
Brad Holmes is reflecting on the Detroit Lions’ challenging 2024 season, and while it wasn’t easy, he believes the adversity the team faced ultimately helped strengthen the franchise. In a conversation with Mike Florio of NBC Sports, Holmes shared his thoughts on how the team’s resilience, especially through injuries, shaped their identity.
The 2024 season was far from smooth for the Lions, with injuries piling up across the roster. On defense, the Lions were hit hard, losing key players from Week 1 all the way through the divisional playoff game. The injuries were relentless, forcing backups, third-string players, and even practice squad members into action. What could have been a season-destroying challenge turned into a testament to the team’s grit and determination. The idea of “next man up” became more than just a slogan—it was a necessity.
Holmes sees the immense value in what the team went through, noting that the tough times ultimately reinforced the principles the franchise had set from the beginning. “I always thought that what we went through is kind of what we’ve been about from Day 1. What me and Dan (Campbell) said that we’re going to be about. A team that’s going to be built on grit and just looking adversity in the eye,” Holmes explained. “Because we know it’s going to come. It came hard (in 2024), but what our approach has been from Day 1, I thought our locker room was equipped to handle it. Next man up is kind of a cliche term a little bit, but a lot goes into next man up.”
The Lions’ injury woes in 2024 were nothing short of historic, but Holmes believes that overcoming such adversity has left the team in a much stronger position for the future. As tough as the season was, it instilled a deep sense of confidence that will carry into 2025. “When Detroit faces a few injuries or other troubles in 2025, they will have the confidence embedded to push on given what they have already faced,” Holmes added.
Holmes also took a moment to reflect on his early years with the Lions, when the road was far bumpier. His first season with Detroit, back in 2021, ended with a 3-13-1 record, and the Lions’ roster was in a much less favorable position than it is now. The following year didn’t start much better, as the team struggled for half the season before showing signs of life in the second half of 2022. By 2023, however, things began to turn around. Through all of this, Holmes remained optimistic, even when the outlook seemed grim.
Reflecting on those early struggles, Holmes admitted he may have been a bit too optimistic at the start of his tenure. “I was probably a little bit naive of how dark it was going to be early on. I probably had too much optimism even in the first year. (At) 3-13-1, it got pretty dark. I think we actually needed that and that was part of who we are and what made us who we are in terms of going through all that adversity. Look, job’s not done yet, but happy where it’s gone so far.”
Even though the Lions’ journey has been anything but easy, Holmes is proud of how the franchise has handled its challenges. Whether dealing with injuries, inconsistency, or disappointing records, the team has consistently fought through adversity and stayed true to the principles they set from day one. For Holmes, this persistence and resilience are what truly matter. “No matter whether the Lions face injuries, inconsistency, or a poor record, the franchise hasn’t stopped fighting and has held true to their principles,” Holmes said, emphasizing the value of this mentality for everyone within the organization.
For Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions, the journey is far from over, but the lessons learned through adversity are invaluable. And as they move forward, the scars of 2024 will serve as a reminder of their strength and unwavering commitment to the vision they’ve built.