By Blessing 
Lions GM Brad Holmes Speaks Up—And Fans Might Not Like What He Had to Say
Detroit Lions fans have every reason to be hopeful. After years of tough seasons and painful rebuilds, the team has become one of the NFL’s most inspiring comeback stories. But as anticipation builds for the 2025 season, one key concern still lingers—and the front office doesn’t seem too pressed about it.
That concern? The edge rusher position.
While many fans are eager to see that gap addressed before kickoff in September, General Manager Brad Holmes doesn’t appear to share the same urgency. It’s understandable that fans feel uneasy. After all, they’ve weathered a lot over the years, and this roster finally feels close to championship-ready. Any remaining weak spots naturally stir anxiety.
Holmes recently opened up about the team’s defensive lineup in an interview with Chris Long on June 12. And some of his comments may not sit well with those hoping to see a certain familiar face back in Detroit.
Last season, when star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson went down, it created a significant hole in the Lions’ defensive front. Holmes acknowledged that replacing Hutchinson wasn’t easy. He made calls, explored options, and tried to strike a deal. Eventually, he pulled off a mid-season trade for Browns edge rusher Za’Darius Smith—who proved to be the perfect fit.
But here’s the twist: Smith is now a free agent. And many fans would love to see him suit up in Honolulu blue again this year.
Smith seems just as eager to return. During a red-carpet interview at the BET Awards, where he appeared with his girlfriend—Detroit’s own hip-hop artist Kash Doll—Smith made his feelings known.
“We both know where I want to be,” he told USA Today. “Hopefully I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”
It’s clear he values not only the team, but the role he played within it.
So where does Holmes stand on bringing Smith back?
When asked during his interview with Long about the current edge rusher situation, Holmes appeared to sidestep the idea of adding new talent. Instead, he praised the players already on the roster.
He mentioned Hutchinson’s recovery, describing him as looking “explosive.” He also had good things to say about Marcus Davenport, claiming he looked “just as good.” Holmes applauded Al-Quadin Muhammad for playing “good football” and highlighted rookie Ahmed Hassanein as having “the most production out of all the edge rushers in that class.”
That might sound like confidence in his current group—but it doesn’t exactly ease the concerns of a fanbase that remembers what happened last season when depth was tested.
Of course, there’s always the chance that Holmes is simply playing it smart. Expressing too much public interest in Smith—or any other player—could easily drive up the asking price. Staying cool in the media might be part of a broader negotiation strategy.
Still, some fans can’t help but feel uneasy. Last season taught the Lions tough lessons about what happens when key players go down and there aren’t strong replacements ready. And with Smith openly campaigning for a return, some believe it would be a misstep not to re-sign him.
One thing is certain: the Lions are close to something special. The question now is whether they’ll make that one more move that fans believe could solidify the defense—or if they’ll bet on the guys already in the locker room.