What was once a cautious, almost pessimistic outlook shared by general manager Brad Holmes is now being used to address concerns about roster building for the 2026 campaign.

Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network connected the dots between Holmes' earlier remarks on The Lions Collective podcast and the Lions' subsequent signings of safety Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox.

"As both [Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch] battle serious injury concerns, general manager Brad Holmes is unwilling to bank on either returning to form next season," Rogers wrote on April 7.

According to Rogers, the Lions have kept safety Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch in the franchise. Joseph is suffering from a severe, persistent knee injury, and Branch ruptured the right Achilles tendon.  

Their return is highly unlikely. 

"Instead, he’s [Holmes'] tapped into his self-proclaimed 'pessimistic planner' mentality in the second wave of free agency, signing a pair of experienced veterans in the past several days," Rogers added.

Now, with the Detroit Lions making an aggressive roster move by re-signing Maddox, those same remarks are being revisited, raising concerns about his free-agency strategy.

“I’m just more of a, let’s call it a pessimistic planner, I just like to prepare myself for that,” Brad Holmes said. “I’m not saying that something’s going to come out the worst, but that’s how I prepare in all situations," 

Avonte Maddox was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. Since then, he has been known for his versatility and high-level performance as a nickel cornerback. 

With a Pro Football Focus grade of 79.1 in 342 snaps played. The Motown native joined the Lions in 2025 and played 14 games, and recorded 32 tackles. 

Whereas Clark was drafted by the Ravens in 2017. He elected free agency after playing the last season with the Steelers.

Clark racked up 51 tackles (31 solo), one forced fumble, and one QB hit in 2025.

Although Rogers agreed that the Lions had done a wonderful job with the limited budget they had. They were also able to increase the depth that they were missing in 2025. 

Brad Holmes Approach to Free Agency Reflects Strategic Roster Building

Brad Holmes is on a mission to build the Detroit Lions’ roster for the upcoming NFL season. Addressing the major problematic factors: depth and durability, from which the Lions suffered throughout the season.

He is following a simple approach. Fill the gaps in the roster using free agency, draft developmental prospects for building the roster, and use cap shuffling to re-sign a core talent.

Center Cade Mays happens to be one of his best moves throughout free agency. He signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Lions.

Similarly, D.J. Wonnum, signed after his stint with the Carolina Panthers, adds pass-rush depth, while Christian Izien from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strengthens the secondary rotation. 

The Lions have finally decided to consider a reasonable QB2. They have called Teddy Bridgewater back, who can be a reliable backup to Jared Goff.

And for the offense, Holmes has added Isiah Pacheco to boost the ground game.

The pattern is clear: no splashy move, just depth and durability around Jared Goff.

What are your thoughts on Brad Holmes' pessimistic planner remarks? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore