Back in 2023, when the Detroit Lions used the No. 12 overall pick to draft running back Jahmyr Gibbs, plenty of folks raised eyebrows. In today’s NFL, where running backs are often seen as replaceable, picking one that early had a lot of people second-guessing GM Brad Holmes.
But now, a couple years later, Gibbs has silenced the critics. He just wrapped up a monster season with over 1,400 rushing yards and big-time contributions as a receiver. Turns out, Holmes saw something in Gibbs — and part of that vision came from a conversation he had long ago with Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.
Back when Holmes was just a PR intern with the Rams, Faulk told him something that stuck: “You can’t afford to carry four different backs anymore — a short-yardage guy, a third-down guy, a scat back, and a goal-line bruiser. You need one guy who can do it all.” Years later, when Holmes watched Gibbs on film, that conversation with Faulk came flooding back. Holmes saw a weapon — not just a back — and knew what he had to do.
Holmes also opened up about how he almost didn’t end up in Detroit. He actually turned down a job with the Lions way back in 2003. But in 2021, during a Zoom interview for the GM role, something just clicked. He felt at home talking with owner Sheila Hamp and team president Rod Wood. Even after learning Matthew Stafford wanted out, Holmes was all in.
And now? He’s helped turn the Lions into a legit contender. From trusting his gut to drafting a dynamic playmaker like Gibbs, Holmes is proving that going against the grain can pay off big.
Marshall Faulk Helped Inspire Lions’ Bold Pick of Jahmyr Gibbs
