By Sunday 
The honeymoon phase is over.
For the front office, this offseason isn’t about splashy signings or fan-fueled dream scenarios. It’s about math. Hard math.
And right now? The numbers aren’t friendly.
💰 The Salary Cap Squeeze Is Real
According to Over The Cap, Detroit is projected to be $8.53 million over the 2026 salary cap, ranking among the league’s worst cap situations. That’s not just tight — that’s uncomfortable.
General Manager acknowledged the balancing act this week, emphasizing the need to make “the best decisions for the team while remaining within the appropriate financial window.”
Translation: somebody’s not getting paid.
One strategy on the table is restructuring deals for franchise pillars like , , and — converting base salaries into signing bonuses to create short-term breathing room.
But let’s be honest: restructures help, they don’t solve everything.
🚫 Dream Targets? Probably Not Happening
If you’re dreaming about Detroit somehow landing stars like or , you might want to gently set those dreams aside.
This offseason isn’t about adding expensive outside talent. It’s about survival. It’s about keeping the right pieces without blowing up the financial future.
The Lions have over 40 free agents, including 25 unrestricted free agents, and 17 of them are defensive players. That’s a lot of moving parts on one side of the ball.
🧩 The Painful Decisions Ahead
Both are highly desirable around the league. Both could command serious money.
And here’s the uncomfortable truth: keeping both might not be realistic. Keeping even one at market value could impact the ability to retain depth elsewhere.
That’s the hidden cost fans don’t always see.
🔒 Two Affordable Pieces Worth Keeping
Now here’s where things get interesting.
Holmes has built a reputation for finding value. Last year, he leaned into affordable one-year deals — and two of those signings look like smart investments:
Rock Ya-Sin: Quietly Reliable
Ya-Sin posted 45 tackles (36 solo), nine pass defenses, and three pressures. For a secondary that needed stability, he delivered. At just over $1 million last season, he may be one of the better value plays to bring back.
Roy Lopez: The Underrated Enforcer
Lopez played all 17 games and quietly outperformed bigger names in grading metrics. His 69.7 PFF grade topped both McNeill and D.J. Reader.
Former coach once said of Lopez:
“He’s a phenomenal human being. He enjoys coming to work, and he gets better at his game. I’d love a bunch of Roys.”
That kind of endorsement matters.
And when your own defensive coordinator hears from that Lopez is “one of the toughest nose tackles he’d ever faced,” you listen.
🤔 So What’s the Smart Play?
Lopez made $3.6 million last year. Ya-Sin cost just $1.038 million. Both will want raises.
What’s the best combination of players that keeps Detroit competitive without wrecking future flexibility?
This is where Holmes earns his paycheck.
Because this isn’t just about 2026. It’s about keeping the Lions’ championship window open — without mortgaging 2027 and beyond.
🏁 Final Take
The Lions aren’t in panic mode. They’re in decision mode.
This offseason won’t be flashy. It’ll be strategic. Calculated. Maybe even a little ruthless.
But if Holmes plays this right, Detroit won’t just survive the cap crunch — they’ll stay dangerous.
And that’s what really matters.