The Detroit Lions face several key decisions as they enter the 2025 offseason.
The team has 31 players set to become free agents following their 15-2 season in 2024, which saw them win the NFC North and claim the top playoff seed in the conference. In addition to potential free agents, the Lions also have the option to extend contracts for players drafted in 2022.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes discussed various topics, including the future of the team, during his season-ending press conference in Allen Park on Thursday morning.
Among the starters nearing free agency are right guard Kevin Zeitler and starting outside cornerback Carlton Davis III. Both joined the team last offseason as key additions to a roster built mainly through the draft, but both were sidelined for the season-ending playoff loss due to injury.
The Lions also have the opportunity to offer contract extensions to 2022 draft picks, including first-round selections defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and wide receiver Jameson Williams, as well as third-round pick Kerby Joseph, who earned an All-Pro honor in 2024.
“I just think we just stay the course and just keep building like we’ve been,” Holmes said when discussing the team’s path to success in 2025 after falling short of a Super Bowl appearance. “I do think that we are very close. Obviously, I thought we were very close this year, but nothing’s going to kind of alter what our approach has been in terms of trying to continue to improve and keep building.”
With one of the NFL’s top rosters, the Lions had an impressive regular season, but were upset by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round. Holmes attributed the loss to “attrition” on defense after the team lost five starters and several depth players to injury. Despite leading the NFL in scoring offense, the Lions couldn’t overcome five turnovers in the playoff defeat.
“There’s literally nothing else to do but pick yourself up and get back to work,” Holmes said.
The next step for the Lions’ front office is filling coaching vacancies, as both coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, accepted head coaching roles, and defensive line coach Terrell Williams left for a defensive coordinator position. Following that, the Lions will focus on player extensions, free agency decisions, and potential outside additions.
Holmes mentioned that the Lions are still in the early stages of considering extensions for players like Hutchinson and Joseph. Last year, the team extended right tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown during draft week and quarterback Jared Goff in May.
“We are working through all of that,” Holmes said regarding Hutchinson. “Again, it’s not always in our control. We might have our plans and processes, but it takes two people to get something done. So, that’s not a negative comment, you just don’t know what that player and the camp and all of that stuff is thinking. So we haven’t gotten to those intense dialogues yet, that’s the only thing.”
Joseph, who led the NFL with nine interceptions, was named a first-team All-Pro safety. Holmes confirmed that discussions regarding an extension for Joseph are “on the docket” for the offseason.
The Lions have the ninth-most effective cap space in 2025 at $46.8 million, according to OverTheCap, but are in the bottom five for 2026 due to previous contract extensions.
“That’s on the docket in terms of to be looked at and discussed,” Holmes said. “We know where he’s at from an eligibility. Look, he’s an All-Pro player… He’s another one that’s gotten better and better. So he’s one that has proven he’s a Detroit Lion, he fits our culture. It’s hard to find ball-hawk guys that tackle like him, and I think that’s what makes him unique. Again, we haven’t had any intense dialogue about that yet, but obviously we want to keep him.”
Zeitler, who will turn 35 in March, joined the Lions last offseason on a one-year deal after playing with the Baltimore Ravens. He became a vital part of the Lions’ strong offensive line, though his transition from blocking for Lamar Jackson to Jared Goff took time.
“A player of that age, you just got to have conversations with him,” Holmes said. “We had conversations on exit day and then we’ll just continue to have dialogue and kind of see.”
Holmes also praised Davis, whom he traded for last offseason to start alongside rookie Terrion Arnold. Holmes noted that Davis had one of the best seasons of his career in Detroit and is “aware” of his pending free agency. Regarding other free agents like defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike and linebacker Derrick Barnes, Holmes said no major decisions have been made yet.
“We’re aware of not only just Carlton, Zeitler, but we’re aware of a lot of other guys that are either on expiring contracts that have good contributions to our team this year or guys that are worthy for an extension or in consideration for extension,” Holmes said. “And so, no intense action yet but we are very aware of it.”
