The Detroit Lions are now in offseason mode after their disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs. This early exit was not what fans had hoped for, but the team can’t afford to delay its planning for the 2025 season and beyond.
With the departures of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, the Lions will undergo significant changes next season. The top priority is finding replacements for these highly regarded coordinators, followed by focusing on the draft and free agency. Lions GM Brad Holmes outlined his strategy to strengthen the roster. While he emphasized that the team will primarily build through the draft, he also mentioned plans to pursue trades and sign veteran players, as reported by Lions insider Brad Galli.
Lions GM Unveils Plans for the Offseason
Lions GM Brad Holmes said the team will continue to build through the draft, but said he has proven he will make trades for and sign veteran players.
"We're not scared of that. It has to be the right player," he said. pic.twitter.com/DpZXALYY82
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 23, 2025
The playoff loss highlighted some key areas that need attention for the Lions. While injuries certainly had a major impact, the defense was especially lacking in the final stretch of the season. More talent and depth are urgently needed on that side of the ball.
The Lions need to enhance their EDGE rotation and add more talent to their cornerback group. For the past few years, the search for an elite pass rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson has been a major need. The secondary, long a weak spot for the team, remains problematic, and first-round pick Terrion Arnold wasn’t able to fix it. With Carlton Davis set to hit free agency, the Lions must address their defensive backfield issues.
Besides Davis, right guard Kevin Zeitler, another starter, is also hitting free agency. The veteran offensive lineman was a standout for the Lions this season but may be too expensive for them to retain this offseason.
The Lions have generally taken a gradual approach to team building, focusing on the draft to improve the roster. They’ve prioritized paying and keeping their key players rather than relying heavily on trades or free agency. However, the midseason trade for Za’Darius Smith suggests that Holmes isn’t entirely opposed to using draft capital for veteran help.
It’s still unclear which positions Holmes will address through free agency versus the draft, but one thing is clear: the Lions have a lot of work ahead of them this offseason.
